Haryana inquiry officers to be taken to task for unjustified delays
Move to scan records of officers holding sensitive posts for over three years
CHANDIGARH: Following delays in completion of inquiries against Class 1 and 2 officers facing disciplinary action for major penalty, the Haryana government has set a deadline for the disposal of pending disciplinary proceedings under rule 7 of the Haryana Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules.
Dismissal from service, compulsory retirement; removal from service; withholding of increment, promotion and reduction to a lower pay scale constitute major penalties for Class 1 and 2 officers under Rule 7. The directions to hasten disciplinary action were issued by the chief secretary after it was found that inquiries in many disciplinary matters could not be finalised by the punishing authorities due to inordinate delay in submission of inquiry reports by the inquiry officers.
Inquiry officers shielding guilty officials An official said in many instances, the inquiry officers were found shielding guilty officials by delaying submission of inquiry reports.
CM Manohar Lal Khattar has also ordered that inquiry officers will be taken to task by initiating deterrent disciplinary action if the administrative secretary is of the view that there has been an unjustified delay by inquiry officers in completing the inquiry.
Khattar has also sought a review of the progress of disposal of regular inquiries under Rule 7.
As per government instructions, disciplinary proceedings for major penalty have to be finalised within six months. Chief secretary Vijai
Vardhan, in an order, said administrative secretaries will ensure that regular inquiries pending against Class 1 and 2 officers were finalised before November 30.
“Where an inquiry officer is unable to submit the inquiry report by November 30, the administrative secretaries will submit a report to the chief secretary by December 7 mentioning the causes of delay in the finalisation of disciplinary proceeding,” the order said.