THE STATE PUBLIC SERVICE GENERAL ORDERS, 1996

Chapter:Chapter 4
Chapter Heading:CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE
Part No.:Part 1
Part Heading:CONDUCT
GO No.:156
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Presents, etc 		156. - (1) An officer shall not receive, nor allow his spouse, children (if any, including adopted children), parents or relative to receive, presents or gifts unless such presents or gifts are-

(a) given to and received by the officer in a personal capacity unrelated to the performance of his official duties;

(b) given to or received by the officer in connection with his officiating at any public or official function;

(c) given in recognition of his service on the occasion of his retirement or leaving the service or transfer; and

(d) given in recognition of services rendered by him at or during any special event, function or activity organised by any person, body or organisation specified in the Thirteenth Schedule:

Thirteenth Schedule: Database 'General Order (as at 17/05/97)', View 'Schedule'

Provided always that the value of such presents or gifts shall not be excessive in relation to the occasion for which they are given.

(2) Permission may be granted by the State Secretary to enable the collection of spontaneous subscriptions by his officers, or the private uncanvassed collections from amongst the said officers, for the purpose of making a representation to any member of the staff on the occasion of the said member’s retirement, transfer or marriage or the marriage of the said member’s child or any other appropriate occasion.

(3) Where the circumstances make it difficult for an officer to refuse a present or gift of value the receipt of which is not permitted under these General Orders (for example, where no previous notice of the intention to offer a present or gift has been given), such present or gift may formally be accepted but the officer shall, as soon as practicable, submit a report in writing to the Head of Department containing a full description and the estimated value of the present or gift and the circumstances under which it was received, and the Head of Department shall forward the report together with his comments to the State Secretary. Pending the decision of the State Secretary, the officer shall be responsible for the safe custody of the present or gift.

(4) Upon receipt of the report under paragraph (3), the State Secretary shall decide whether-

(a) to permit the officer to retain the present or gift; or

(b) to direct that the present or gift be returned to the giver through the Head of Department.

(5) Where paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) apply to a Head of Department, the Head of Department shall seek the approval of the State Secretary either to retain or return the present or gift.