SIX MONTHS TO PROBE CORRUPTION CASES, GOVT AMENDS RULES

Changing an over 50-year-old rule, the government has set a deadline of six months to complete probe in corruption cases involving its employees.

The decision has been taken to speed up the investigation in such cases, most of them pending for quiet a long time.

The department of personnel and training (DoPT) has amended Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, and decided a timeline for critical stages of investigation and enquiry proceedings. The inquiring authority should conclude the inquiry and submit its report within a period of six months, say the amended rules.

However, an extension for a period not exceeding six months at a time may be allowed for any good and sufficient reasons to be recorded in writing by the disciplinary authority, it said.

Earlier, there was no timeframe to complete an enquiry.

The disciplinary authority shall deliver to a government servant, accused of irregularity and corruption, a copy of the articles of charge, the statement of the imputations of misconduct or misbehaviour and a list of documents and witnesses by which each article or charges is proposed to be sustained, the new rules said.

On receipt of such articles of charge, the government servant shall be required to submit his written statement of defence, if he so desires, and also state whether he desires to be heard in person, within a period of 15 days, it said.