The Union Government has issued an advisory to the State Government to ensure that uniformed officers adhere to conduct rules and maintain decorum. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued the advisory to Odisha along with other States and Union Territories to take disciplinary action against members of Indian Police Service (IPS) on violation of All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, said official sources.

The MHA has taken a serious view of some instances of behaviour unbecoming of IPS officers taking part in dharna organised by political leaders openly opposing policy of the Govt. Against the backdrop, the MHA has issued strict instructions to the State Government to see that uniformed officers shall at all times maintain absolute integrity and devotion to duty and shall do nothing which is unbecoming of a member of service.

The MHA has categorically said that no IPS shall be a member or to be associated with any political party or any organization, which takes part in politics or assist in any other manner of political movement or political party, said official sources. The Union Government has said that no IPS officers will write any document or make any radio broadcast or communications over any public media which has the adverse criticism of the policy of the Government, pointed out an official. Any action by the uniformed officer, which will embarrass relationship of the State and Union Governments will attract disciplinary action, said he.

On February 4, five IPS officers were reportedly found in a sit-in with political leaders in West Bengal, which was taken seriously by the MHA.

The MHA has advised the State Government if any serving IPS officer is found violating AIS(Conduct) Rules, disciplinary action is needed to be taken and it should be brought it to the notice of the Union Government for further action, including withdrawal of medals conferred on him, the official pointed out.