Company : Sol Infotech Pvt. Ltd. Website : www.courtkutchehry.com Gujarat Panchayat Services (Conduct) Rules, 1998 CONTENTS 1. Short title, commencement and application 2. Definitions 3. General 4. Employment of near relatives of panchayat servants in private undertakings enjoying Government or Panchayat patronage 5. Taking part in politics and elections 6. Demonstrations and strickes 7. Joining of association by panchayat servants 8. Connection with press or radio 9. Criticism of Government 10. Unauthorised communications of information 11. Evidence before a committee or any other authority 12. Subscriptions 13. Gifts 14. No Panchayat servant shall 1 5 . Public demonstration or other entertainment in honour of panchayat servant 16. Private trade or employment 17. Investment, lending and borrowing 18. Insolvency and habitual indebtendness 19. Panchayat servant to inform panchayat about criminal or civil proceedings against him 20. Movable, immovable and valuable property 21. Vindication of acts and character of panchayat servant 22. Purchasing or bidding for or holding any property 23. Acting as Arbitator 24. Canvassing of non-official or other outside influence 25. Membership of or Association with communal Institution 2 6 . Association of name of panchayat servants with public Institution or Works 27. Plural Marriages 28. Adoption of small family by panchayat servants 29. Interpretation 30. Delegation of powers 31. Repeal and Saving Gujarat Panchayat Services (Conduct) Rules, 1998 In exercise of the powers conferred by Sec. 274 read with Sec. 227 of the Gujarat Panchayats Act, 1993 (Guj. 18 of 1993), the Government of Gujarat hereby makes the following rules, namely: 1. Short title, commencement and application :- (1) These rules may be called the Gujarat Panchayat Services (Conduct) Rules, 1998. (2) They shall apply to all persons appointed to the posts in Panchayat Services: Provided that nothing in these rules shall apply to officers and servants on deputation or on loan service to the panchayats. 2. Definitions :- In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires (a) 'Act' means the Gujarat Panchayats Act, 1993; (b) 'Appendix' means the Appendix appended to these rules; (c) 'Government' means the Government of Gujarat; (d) 'Members of the family'- means (A) in relation to a male member of the Panchayat Service, include his (i) wife, child or step-child, whether residing with him or not; (ii) any other person related to him or to his wife whether by blood or by marriage and wholly dependent on him; (B) in relation to a female member of the panchayat service (i) child or step-child, whether residing with her or not, and the husband residing with her and dependent on her; (ii) any other person related to her or her husband whether by blood or by marriage and wholly dependent on her, but does not include a wife or husband legally separated from the member of the Panchayat Service or child or step-child who is not longer dependent on him or her, or of whose custody he or she has been deprived by reason of legal proceedings. (e) 'Panchayat' means a Village Panchayat, Taluka Panchayat or District Panchayat, as defined in Act; (f) 'Panchayat Servant' means any person appointed to the Panchayat Service and includes an Officer or Servant allocatted to the panchayat service under Sec. 231 or 232 of the Act; (g) 'Panchayat Service' means the Panchayat Service constituted under sec. 227 of the Act; (h) 'The words and expressions' used but not defined in these rules, shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Bombay Civil Services Rules, 1959 or the Gujarat Panchayat Service Classifications and Recruitment (General) Rules, 1998. 3. General :- (1) Every panchayat servant shall at all times (i) maintain absolute integrity; (ii) maintain devotion to duty; and (iii) do nothing which is unbecoming of a Panchayat Servant; (2) No panchayat servant shall, in the performance of his official duties or in exercise of the powers conferred on him, act otherwise than in his best judgment except when he is acting under the direction of his official superior and shall where he is acting under such direction, obtain the direction in writing, wherever practicable, and where it is not practicable to obtain the direction in writing he shall obtain written confirmation of the direction as soon thereafter as possible. (3) All departmental rules and orders in respect of the subject dealt with in these rules which have been approved or may hereafter be approved by Government shall in so far as they are not inconsistent with any provisions of these rules, apply to panchayat servants to whom they relate. Explanation. Nothing in sub-rule (2) shall be construed as empowering a panchayat servant to evade his responsibility by seeking instructions from or approval of a superior officer or authority when such instructions are not necessary under the scheme of distribution of powers and responsibilities. 4. Employment of near relatives of panchayat servants in private undertakings enjoying Government or Panchayat patronage :- (1) No panchayat servant shall use his position or influence directly or indirectly to secure employment for any member of his family in a company or firm except in relation to persons or bodies with whom he is personally or socially connected otherwise than by virtue of any office held by him during his service. (2) (i) No Class I or Class II officer of the Government who is on deputation to panchayat service shall, except with the previous sanction of the Government, permit his son or any member of his family to accept employment in any company or firm with which he has official dealings or in any other company or firm have official dealings with the Government or the panchayat: Provided that where the acceptance of the employment cannot await prior permission of the Government or is otherwise considered urgent, the matter shall be reported to the Government or the panchayat forthwith and the employment may be accepted provisionally subject to the permission of the Government. (ii) A panchayat servant shall, as soon as he becomes aware of the acceptance by a member of his family of an employment in any company or firm, intimate such acceptance to the prescribed authority and shall also intimate whether he has or had any official dealing with that company or firm: Provided that no such intimation shall be necessary in case of a class I or II officer if he has already obtained the sanction of, or sent a report to, the Government under clause (i). (3) No panchayat servant in the discharge of his official duties deal with any matter or give or sanction any construct to any company or firm or any other person, if any member of his family is employed in that company or firm or under that person or if he or any member of his family is interested in such matter or contract in any other manner and the panchayat servant shall refer every such matter or contract to his official superior and the matter or contract shall thereafter be disposed of according to the instructions of the authority to whom the reference is made. 5. Taking part in politics and elections :- (1) No panchayat servant shall be a member of or be otherwise associated with any political party or any organisation which ordinarily takes part in politics nor shall he take part in, subscribe in aid of or assist, in any other manner, any political movement or activity. (2) It shall be the duty of every panchayat servant to endeavour to prevent any member of his family from taking part in, subscribing in, aid of, or assisting in any other manner any movement or activity which is, or tends directly or indirectly to be, subversive of any, Government in India as by law established and where a panchayat servant is unable to prevent a member of his family from taking part in, subscribing in aid, of or assisting in any other manner, any such movement or activity, he shall make a report to that effect to Government. (3) If any question arises whether a party is a political party or whether an organisation taken part in politics or whether any movement or activity falling within the scope of this rule, the decision of the Government thereon shall be final. (4) No panchayat servant shall directly or indirectly canvass or otherwise interfere or in any manner whatsoever use his influence in connection with, or take part in any form, in an election to any legislature or local authority. Provided that (i) a panchayat servant qualified to vote at such election may exercise his right to vote, but where he does so, he shall give no indication of the manner in which he proposes to vote or has voted; (ii) a panchayat servant shall not be deemed to have contravened the provisions of this rule by reason only that he assists in the conduct of an election in the due performance of a duty imposed on him by or under any law for the time being in force, or by an order of Government. Explanation. The display by a panchayat servant on his person, vehicle or residence of any electoral symbol shall amount to using his influence in connection with an election within the meaning of this sub-rule. 6. Demonstrations and strickes :- No panchayat servnat shall (i) engage himself, or participate in any demonstration which is prejudicial to the interest or the soverignty and integrity of India thes security of the State friendly relations with foreign States, Public Order, decency or morality or which involves contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence, or (ii) resort to or in any way abet any form or strike. Explanation. For the purpose of this rule the expression "strike" means the cessation of work by panchayat servant in combination or a concerted refusal or a refusal under a common understanding of any number of panchayat servants and includes (i) refusal to work overtime where such work is necessary, (ii) any other conduct which is likely to result in, or results in, cessation or substantial retradation of panchayat work. 7. Joining of association by panchayat servants :- No panchayat servant shall join, or continue to be a member of an association the objects or activities of which are prejudicial to the interest of the severignty and integrity of India or public order or morality. 8. Connection with press or radio :- (1) No panchayat servant shall, except with the previous sanction of the Panchayat autority own wholly or in part or conduct or participate in editing or management or, any news paper or other periodical publication. (2) No panchayat servant shall, except with the previous sanction of the Government or of the prescribed authority or except in the bonafide discharge of his duties- (a) publish a book himself or through a publisher, or contribute an article to a book or a compilation of articles, or (b) participate in a radio broadcast or contribute an article or write a letter to news paper or periodcial, either in his own name or anonymously, or pseudonymously or in the name of any other person : Provided that no such sanction shall be required (i) if such publication is through a publisher and is of a purely literary, artistic or scientific character, or (ii) if such contribution, broadcast, or writing is of a purely literary, artistic or scientific character. 9. Criticism of Government :- No panchayat servant shall in any radio broadcast or in any document published in his own name, or anonymously, pseudonymously, or in the nameof any other person, or in any communication to the press, or in public utterance, make any statement of facts or opinion (i) which has the effect of an adverse criticism of any current or recent policy, or action of the Central Government, or of State Government: Provided that in the case of any panchayat servant included in any category of panchayat servants specified in sub-rule (3) of Rule 1, nothing contained in this clause shall apply to bonafide expression of views by him as an office bearer of a trade union of such panchayat servants for the purpose of safeguarding the conditions of service of such panchayat servants or for securing an improvement thereof. (ii) which is capable of embarassing the relations between the Central Government and the Government of any State or. (iii) which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the Central Government and the Government of any foreign State : Provided that nothing in this rule shall apply to any statement made or views expressed by a panchayat servant in his official capacity or in the due performance of the duties assigned to him. 10. Unauthorised communications of information :- No panchayat servant shall, except in accordance with any general or special order of the panchayat or in the performance in good faith of the duties assigned to him, provide or communicate directly or indirectly, any official document or any part thereof or official information to any panchayat servant or any other person to whom he is not authorised to communicate such document or information. Explanation. Quotation by a panchayat servant in his representation to the Head of Office or Head of Department or Governor, of or from any letter, Circular or Office Memorandum or from the notes on any file (other than such non-confidential communication the contents of which are intended to be made known to him for his information as a panchayat servant) which he is not authorised to keep in his persnonal custody or for personal purpose, shall amount to unauthorised communication of information within the meaning of this rule. 11. Evidence before a committee or any other authority :- (1) Save as provided in sub-rule (3) no panchayat servant shall, except with the previous sanction of the panchayat give evidence in connection with any enquiry conducted by any person, committee, or authority. (2) Where any sanction has been accorded under sub-rule (1) no panchayat servant giving evidence, shall critise the policy or any action of any Government in India: Provided that the panchayat may waive this condition in any particular case. (3) Nothing in this rule shall apply to (a) evidence given at an enquiry before an authoirty appointed by the panchayat or by the Government, by Parliament or by a State Legislature, or (b) evidence given in any judicial inquiry, or (c) evidence given at any departmental enquiry ordered by panchayat or authorities subordinate to the panchayat. 12. Subscriptions :- No panchayat servant shall except with the previous sanction of the panchayat or of such authority as may be empowered by it in this behalf, ask for or accept contributions to or otherwise associate himself with the raising of any fund in pursuance of any object whatsoever. 13. Gifts :- (1) Save as otherwise provided in these rules no panchayat servant shall accept, or permit any member of his family, or any other person acting on his behalf to accept any gift. Explanation. (i) The expression 'gift' shall include free transport, boarding, lodging, or other service or any other pecuniary advantage when provided by any person other than a near relative, or personal friend having no official dealings with the panchayat servant. Note I. A casual meal, lift or other social hospitality shall not be deemed to be a gift. Note II. Panchayat servant shall avoid accepting levish hospitality or frequent hospitality from any individual having official dealing with him or from industrial or commercial firms, organisations etc. (ii) For the purpose of this rule, any trovel, key, other similar articles offered to a panchayat servant at the laying of the foundations stone or the opening of a public building or any ceremonial function shall be deemed to be a gift. (2) On occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, funerals or religious functions, when the making of a gift is confermity with the prevailing religious or social practice, a panchayat servant or any member of his family or any person acting on his behalf may accept gift from near relatives but the panchayat servant shall make a report to the panchayat if the value of any such gift exceeds: (i) Rs. 250.00 in the case of a panchayat servant holding any post in superior panchayat services. (ii) Rs. 100.00 in the case of a panchayat servant holding any post in inferior panchayat services. (3) On such occasions as are specified in sub-rule (2) a panchayat servant or any member of his family or any persons acting on his behalf may accept gifts from personal friends having no official dealings with the panchayat servant but the panchayat servant shall make a report to the panchayat if the value of such gifts exceeds: (i) Rs. 100.00 in the case of a panchayat servant holding any post in superior panchayat services (ii) Rs. 50.00 in the case of a panchayat servant holding any post in inferior panchayat services. (4) In any other case a panchayat servant shall not accept or permit any member of his family or any other person acting on his behalf to accept any gift without the sanction of the panchayat if the value thereof exceeds (i) Rs. 25.00 in the case of a panchayat servant holding any superior or inferior post in panchayat. 14. No Panchayat servant shall :- (i) give or take or abet the giving or taking of dowry; or (ii) demand, directly or indirectly from the parents or guardian of a bride or bridegroom, as the case may be, any dowry. Explanation. For the purposes of this rule, "dowry" has the same meaning as in the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (28 of 1961). 15. Public demonstration or other entertainment in honour of panchayat servant :- (1) Save as otherwise provided in this rule a panchayat servant shall not except with the previous sanction of panchayat (a) receive any complimentary or valedictory address or accept any testimonial presented to him or attend any public meeting or entertainment held in his honour. (b) take part in the presentation of any complimentary or valedictory address or a testimonial to any other panchayat servant or to any person who had recently quitted service of panchayat or attend any public meeting or entertainment held in honour of such panchayat servant or person. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1) but subject to the provisions of any general or special order of panchayat, Government a panchayat servant may (a) at the request of any public body sit for a portrait, bust, or statues not intended for presentation to him, (b) attend a farewell entertainment of a substantially private and informal character held as a mark of regard to himself or to some other panchayat servant, or to a person who has recently quitted the service of panchayat on the occasion of a retirement from the service or departure from the district or station, of himself or such other panchayat servant or persons. (c) attend a simple and inexpensive entertainment arranged by any public body or institution. Note. Exercise of pressure or influence of any sort on any Panchayat Servant to induce him to subscribe towards any farewell entertainment even if it is of a substantially private or informal character, and the collection of subscriptions from panchayat servants under any circumstances for the entertainment of any panchayat servant is forbidden. 16. Private trade or employment :- (1) Subject to the provisions of sub-rule (2), no member of panchayat service shall, except with the previous sanction of the concerned district panchayat (a) engage directly or indirectly in any trade or business, or (b) negotiate for, or undertake, any other employment, or (c) hold an elective office, canvas for a candidate or candidates for an elective office, in any body whether incorporated or not, or (d) canvass in support of any business of insurance agency, commission agency etc. owned or managed by any member of his family, or (e) take part except in the discharge of his official duties, in the registration, promotion or management of any bank or other company registered, or required to be registered, under the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) or any other law for the time being in force, or of any co-operative society for commercial purpose. Explanation. (1) Making or helping in making the provision of funds for a business under taken by a wife or a member of his family shall be regarded as indirectly engaging a member of panchayat service in trade or business and shall require previous sanction of the concerned district panchayat. (2) A member of panchayat service may, without previous sanction of the concerned district panchayat shall- (a) undertake honorary work of a social or charitable nature, or (b) undertake occasional work of a literary, artistic or scientific character, or (c) participate in sports activities as an ameteur, or (d) take part in the registration, promotion or management (not involving the holding of an elective office) of a literary, scientific or charitable society or of a club or similar organisation, the aims or objects of which relate to promotion of sports cultural or creation activities registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860) or any other law for the time being in force, or (e) take part in the registration, promotion or management (not involving the holding of elective office) of a co-operative society substantially for the benefit of Government servants registered under the Gujarat Co-operative Socieities Act, 1961 (Guj. X of 1962) or any other law for the time being in force : Provided that (i) he shall discontinue taking part in such activities if so directed by the concerned district panchayat; (ii) in a case falling under clause (d) or clause (e) of this sub-rule, his official duties shall not suffer thereby and he shall, within a period of one month of his taking part in such activity, report to the District Panchayat giving details of the nature of his participation. (iii) a member of panchayat service shall report to the district panchayat if any member of his family is engaged in a trade or business or owns or manages an insurance agency or commission agency. (iv) unless otherwise provided by general or special orders of the district panchayat, no member of panchayat service shall accept any fee for any work done by him for any private or public body or any private person without the sanction of the district panchayat. Explanation. The term 'fee' used in this sub-rule shall have the meaning assigned to it in Note 2 below Rule 9(25) of the Bombay Civil Services Rules, 1959. (v) "Making or helping in making the provision of funds for" a business undertaking by a wife or a member of his family shall be regarded as indirectly engaging a panchayat servant in trade or business and shall require previous sanction of the panchayat: Provided that a Panchayat Servant may, without such sanction undertake honorary work of a social or charitable nature or occasional work of a literary, artistic or scientific character subject to the condition that his official duties do not thereby suffer, but he shall not undertake or shall discontinue, such work if so directed by the panchayat. Explanation. (1) Canvassing by a panchayat servant in support of the business of insurance agency, commission agency, etc. owned or managed by his wife or any other member of his family shall be deemed to be a breach of this sub-rule. (3) Every Panchayat servant shall report to the panchayat if any member of his family is engaged in a trade or business or owns or manages an insurance agency or commission agency. (4) No Panchayat servant shall, without previous sanction of the panchayat except in the discharge of his official duties, take part in the registration, promotion, or management of any bank or other company which is required to be registered under the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) or any other law for the time being in force or any cooperative societies for commercial purposes: Provided, that a panchayat servant may take part in the registration, promotion, or management of a cooperative society substantially for the benefit of Government servants registered under the Cooperative Societies Act, 1912 (2 of 1912) or any other l a w for the time being in force, or of a literary, scientific or charitable society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860), or any corresponding law in force. (5) No panchayat servant may accept any fee for any work done by him or any public body or any private person without the sanction of the prescribed authority. 17. Investment, lending and borrowing :- (1) No panchayat servant shall speculate in any investment. Explanation. Frequent purchase or sale or both of shares, securities or other investments shall be deemed to be speculation within the meaning of this sub-rule. (2) No panchayat servant shall make, or permit any member of his family to make, any investment likely to embarrass or influence him in the discharge of his official duties and when a panchayat servant fails to prevent a member of his family from making an investment of this nature he shall report to panchayat forthwith. (3) If any question arises whether a security or investment is of a nature referred to in sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (2) the decision of the panchayat thereon shall be final. (4) No panchayat servant shall except with the previous sanction of the panchayat lend money to any person possessing land or valuable property within the local limits under his authority or at interest to any person: Provided that a panchayat servant may advance a small amount free interest to a personal friend or relative, or a private servant even if such person possesses land within the local limit of his authority. (5) No panchayat servant shall, save in the ordinary course of business with a Bank or a firm of standing, borrow money from or otherwise place himself under pecuniary obligation to any peson within the local limits of his authority, or any other person with whom he is likely to have official dealing nor shall he permit, any member of his family except with the previous sanction of the panchayat, to enter into any such transaction. In case, however, such transaction is entered into by a member of his family without his permission, it should be reported to panchayat forthwith: Provided that a panchayat servant may accept a purely temporary advance of small amount, free of interest from a personal friend or relative or operate credit account with a bonafide tradesman. (6) When a panchayat servant is appointed or transferred to a post of such a nature as to involve him in the breach of any of the provisions of sub-rule (4) or sub-rule (5) he shall forthwith report the circumstances to the panchayat and thereafter act in accordance with such orders as may be passed by the panchayat: Provided that a panchayat servant belonging to Superior or Inferior panchayat service shall make such report to the Head of his office. (7) This rule may, in case of servants belonging to Inferior Panchayat Service be relaxed in exceptional cases at the discretion of the Head Office, and in so far as it relates to the lending to or borrowing by panchayat servants from the co-opera- tive societies registered under any law for the time being in force shall be subject to any general or special restrictions or relaxations made or permitted by panchayat. 18. Insolvency and habitual indebtendness :- (1) A panchayat servant shall so manage his private affairs as to avoid habitual indebtedness of insolvency. A panchayat servant who becomes the subject of legal proceedings for insolvency shall forthwith report the full facts to the panchayat. (2) Where a moiety of the salary of a panchayat servant is attached, the report shall show what is the proportion of his debts to the salary and whether the debtor's position is irretrievable so as to enable panchayat to consider whether in the circumstances of the case, there matters, would detract from the debtor's efficiency as a panchayat servant and whether it is desirable to retain him in the post occupied by him at the time when the matter is brought to the notice of panchayat or in any other post under panchayat. (3) When a panchayat servant is adjudged or declared an insolvent or when a moiety of the salary of such panchayat servant is constantly being attached, or has been continuously under attachment for a period exceeding two years or is attached for a sum which in ordinary circumstnaces cannot be repaid within a period of two years, he shall be liable to be removed from service. (4) In every case under this rule, the burden of proving that the insolvency of indebteness is the result of circumstances which with the exercise of ordinary diligence the debtor could not have foreseen or over which he had no control and has not proceeded from extravagant or dissipated habits, shall be, upon the debtor. 19. Panchayat servant to inform panchayat about criminal or civil proceedings against him :- (a) Whereas any criminal proceedings are instituted or are in progress against a panchayat servant concerning an offence which is alleged to have been committed by him while acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his official duty or which involves moral turpitude or which is punishable with imprisonment for a term of one year or more, or (b) Where any civil proceedings are insituted or are in progress against a panchayat servant for recovery of an amount exceedings ten times his monthly emoluments or for damages arising out of any breach of trust or misappropriation of money or fraud alleged t o have been committed by such panchayat servant, the Government servant shall inform panchayat or the Head of the Department or Office concerned about such proceedings by submitting a report in writing stating briefly the facts leading to such proceedings. 20. Movable, immovable and valuable property :- (1)(a) Every panchayat servant on his first appointment to any service or post shall submit a return of his immovable assets to the district panchayat in the proforma as may be prescribed by the Government giving full details regarding immovable property inherited, owned, acquired or held by him on lease or mortgage, cither in his own name or in the name of any member of his family or in the name of any other person. (b) Every panchayat servant shall furnish the information referred to in sub- clause (a) at the end of every year during which he attains the age which is an integral multiple of five years i.e. at the age of 25, 30, 35 etc. upto 58 or 60 years, as the case may be. Note 1. Provisions of clause (a) shall not ordinarily apply to class IV servants but the Government may direct that they shall apply to any such panchayat servant or class of such panchayat servants. Note 2. Every panchayat servant who is in the service on the date of commencement of these rules shall submit a return under this sub-rule on or before such date as may be specified by the Government after such commencement. (2) No panchayat servant shall, except with the previous knowledge of the prescribed authority, acquire or dispose of any immovable property by lease, mortgage, purchase, sale, gift or otherwise either in his own name or in the name of any member of his family. Provided that the previous sanction of the district panchayat shall be obtained by the panchayat servant if any such transaction is with a person having official dealings with the panchayat servant. (3) Every panchayat servant shall report to the district panchayat within one month on and from the date of every transaction entered into by him either in his own name or in the name of a member of his family in respect of movable property if the value of such property exceed rupees seven thousand five hundred in case of a person belonging to superior panchayat service and rupees five thousand in case of a person belonging to inferior panchayat service: Provided that the previous sanction of the district panchayat shall be obtained if such transaction is with a person having official dealing with the panchayat servant. (4) The panchayat or the prescribed authority may, at any time, by general or special order, require a panchayat servant to furnish within a period specified in the order, a full and complete statement of such movable or immovable property held or acquired by him or on his behalf by any member of his family as may be specified in the order. Such statement shall, if so required by panchayat or by the prescribed authority include the details or means by which or, source from which, such property was acquired. (5) The Government may exempt any category of the panchayat servant from any of the provisions of this rule except sub-rule (4). Explanation. (1) For the purpose of this rule, the expression "Movable property" includes (a) Jewellery, insurance policies (the annual premium of which exceeds Rs. One thousand or one sixty of the total annual emoluments) whichever is less, shares, securities and debentures; (b) Loans advanced by panchayat servants whether secured or not; (c) Motor cars, motor cycles, horses, or any other means of conveyance, and (d) Refrigerators and rediograms. (2) "Prescribed authority" means (a) (i) The panchayat in case of a panchayat servants holding any post under Superior or Inferior panchayat Services except where any lower authority specifically specified by the Government for any purpose; (ii) Head of Department in case of a Government servant on deputation to panchayat service who is holding Class II post. (iii) Head of Office in the case of a Government servant on deputation to panchayat service who is holding Class III or IV post. (b) In respect of panchayat servant on foreign service or on deputation to any other panchayat local bodies, the parent department on the cadre of which such panchayat servant is borne. 21. Vindication of acts and character of panchayat servant :- (1) Panchayat have resources to any court or to the press for the vindication of public acts or character from defamatory attacks. In grating sanction to recourse to a Court, panchayat shall in each case decide whether it will itself bear the cost of proceedings or whether the panchayat servant shall institute the proceedings at his own expenses and if so, whether in the event of decision in his favour the panchayat shall reimburse him to the extent of the whole or any part of the cost incurred by him in excess of the costs, compensation of damage, if any, awarded to him by the court. (2) Nothing in this rule shall be deemed to prohibit a panchayat servant from vindicating his private character or any act done by him in his private capacity and where any action for vindicating his private character or any act done by him in private capacity is taken the panchayat servant shall submit report to the prescribed authority regarding such action. 22. Purchasing or bidding for or holding any property :- (1) No panchayat servant shall purchase or bid for, either in person, or by agent, or in his own name, or in the name of any other person, or jointly, or in share with any other person, any property which may under the provision of any law in force is sold o r auctioned by or under the orders of the office to which he belongs under which he is employed for the time being. (2) Nothwithstanding anything contained in Rule 16, no panchayat servant shall except with the previous permission in writing of panchayat (i) purchase or bid either in person, or by agent or in his own name or in the name of any other person, or jointly or in share with any other person for property which may under the provision of the Bombay Land Revenue Code 1879, or any otehr law for the time being in force, be sold by order of a revenue or judicial authority in the district in which such panchayat servant at the time employed; (ii) held directly or indirectly any form or be in any way concerned on private account in the collection or payment of revenue of any kind in the district in which such panchayat servant is for the time being employed: Provided that nothing contained in this rule shall apply to revenue paid in fulfilment of any statutory obligation; Provided further that a panchayat servant who helds directly or indirectly any farm in the district in which he is for the time being employed shall report this fact to panchayat and shall not be required to obtained sanction panchayat for holding such farm. 23. Acting as Arbitator :- A panchayat servant shall not act as an arbitrator in any private case which is likely to come before him in any shape by virtue of any judicial or executive post which he may be holding. 24. Canvassing of non-official or other outside influence :- No panchayat servant shall bring or attempt to bring any political or other outside influence to bear upon any superior authority or to approach any member of a legislature or other non official for interceding with any superior authority for furthering his interest or for redressing his grievance in regard to any matter pertaining to his service under panchayat. 25. Membership of or Association with communal Institution :- N o panchayat servant shall participate in activities of or be associated with any institution whose membership is confined to the members of a particular community or class of communities notwithstanding the fact that the activities of the institution are of a social or any educational nature. But with the the prior permission of panchayat, panchayat servants may be allowed to participate in the activities of institutions having religious or moral object. Explanation. In case of doubt whether the membership of an Institution come within the scope of this rule, the decision of Government shall be final. 26. Association of name of panchayat servants with public Institution or Works :- No panchayat servant shall except with the previous sanction of panchayat association at his own name or allow it to be associated with any public institution like libraries, hospitals, such schools and roads or such objects as shields, trophies, prizes, medals or cups. A panchayat servant shall not allow any member of his family living with or wholly dependent upon him to associate his/her name with any such institution or object. 27. Plural Marriages :- (1) No panchayat servant shall enter into, or contract, a marriage with any person having a spouse living, and (2) No panchayat servant having a spouse living, shall enter into, or contract, a marriage with any person: Provided that the State Government may permit a panchayat servant to enter into, or contract any such marraige as js referred to in clause (1) or (2), if it is satisfied that (a) such marriage is permissible under the personal law applicable to such panchayat servant and the other party to the marriage, and (b) there are other grounds for so doing. 28. Adoption of small family by panchayat servants :- Every panchayat servant shall ensure that the number of his children does not exceed two. 29. Interpretation :- If any question arises relating to the interpretation of these rules, it shall be referred to the Government whose decision thereon shall be final. 30. Delegation of powers :- The Government may, by general or special order, direct that any power exercisable by it or any Head of Department or office under these rules except the powers under Rule 29 and this rule, shall subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the order, be exercisable also by such officer or authority as may be specified in the order. 31. Repeal and Saving :- The Gujarat Panchayat Service (Conduct) Rules, 1964 are hereby repealed. Such repeal shall not affect anything done or any action taken under the rules so repealed.