Gift & Sammaan Policy
Version 1.1. Adopted by the founding members, subject to ratification by the first General Body.
Honouring a colleague who joins us, retires or achieves something remarkable is part of Punjabi tradition. This policy keeps that tradition warm, symbolic and fully within every officer's service rules, so every sammaan is simply a joy to receive.
1. Principles
- Respect, not value. The honour lies in the delegation that visits and the words spoken, not in the price of the gift.
- Conduct rules first. Serving officers are bound by Rule 11 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules 1968, Rule 13 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, or their own service's rules on gifts. This policy is stricter than those rules, so following it keeps members compliant.
- From the Fellowship, as a family. A sammaan is given in the Fellowship's name and paid from Fellowship funds.
- Recorded. Every gift is entered in the Gift Register in the Fellowship app.
2. When a sammaan is offered
| Occasion | Who is honoured | Typical form |
|---|---|---|
| Joining | Senior members (for example Secretary to Government, DGP or equivalent, judges, heads of organisations) flagged by the system on verification | A visit by a 2–4 member delegation from the local chapter |
| Retirement | Every member, on request | Felicitation at a chapter meet |
| Achievement | National awards, notable publications, gallantry, new UPSC/PCS selections from Punjab | Felicitation at a meet or the Annual Convention |
| Bereavement | The member's family | Condolence visit; welfare support under the welfare fund rules (not a gift) |
3. What may be given
The maximum value of any gift is ₹1,500, including the cost of a frame or packaging. Suitable gifts:
- Siropa, phulkari stole or shawl
- A Fellowship memento, plaque or citation
- A book on Punjabi history, literature or culture
- A sapling or a plant
- Flowers or sweets of modest value
4. Keeping it symbolic
- A sammaan is always one of the symbolic items listed above.
- It is presented to the member in person by the chapter delegation.
- It is paid for from Fellowship funds and entered in the Gift Register.
- Where a member prefers no gift, a warm welcome or a letter of greeting is equally meaningful.
5. The Sammaan workflow (in the Fellowship app)
- When a senior member is verified, the system creates a Sammaan task for the chapter of the state where they are posted.
- The chapter convenor proposes a delegation and a date, and confirms with the member that a visit is welcome. Some officers prefer no visit or gift; their wishes are always respected.
- The gift and its value are entered in the app. The app refuses any value above the limit.
- With the member's consent, a photograph and a short note may be shared with members. Nothing is posted publicly without consent.
6. Gifts received by the Fellowship
Donations to the Fellowship are accepted in line with its financial rules and the law, and every donation is recorded and receipted.
7. Review
The Ethics Committee reviews this policy and the value limit at least every two years, and whenever service rules change.