No State Govt employee involved with RSS -- CM

No State Govt employee involved with RSS -- CM
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 8: Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Tuesday reiterated that there is complete ban on government employees either participating or joining the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS).

``My attention has been drawn to the statement of Union Minister for Information Technology Pramod Mahajan. If Mahajan has courage, he should show us the employees associated with RSS and then watch for our stringent action. We will immediately take stern action against such erring employees,'' Deshmukh told media persons.

Deshmukh said as per an order issued by the General Administration Department on February 15, 1982, there is a complete ban on either joining or participating in RSS activities. ``The order is very clear. Violation of the order will attract stern disciplinary action against the employees under the Maharashtra Civil service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules,'' Deshmukh said, adding, since the culture of Maharashtra is different, there were least chances of government joining either the RSS or forthat matter any political organisation. Last week, the neighbouring Gujarat government had lifted ban on its employees participating in RSS activities.

Subsequently, the decision was upheld by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee as well as Union Home Minister L K Advani.