Criminal Charges Okay But Not Second Marriage: APTEL Withdraws Controversial Rule For Government Employees 

Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) had published a notification about salary allowances and other service conditions, according to which, those married for the second time or married to a person who has married twice would not eligible to work for the tribunal, Economic Times has reported.

The notification applies to 15 positions from lower division clerk to the registrar, officers in equivalent positions to group A, B and C posts in the central government. The tribunal has been notorious for moral policing through employee rules. The past notifications in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2017 also had such disqualification norms.

“No person who has entered into or contracted a marriage with a person having a spouse living or who having a spouse living, has entered into or contracted a marriage with any person, shall be eligible for appointment to the said post.” read the disqualification criteria in the notification. Surprisingly, criminals do not face disqualification.

The proposal uploaded on the Power Ministry’s website and was removed within hours. Interestingly, the proposal also said any such person under the criteria would be exempted if the centre is satisfied.