Complete disciplinary inquiries on time: Govt tells depts

In a slew of measures for monitoring and expeditious disposal of the disciplinary proceeding cases, the Ministry of Personnel said a charge sheet should be drafted with utmost accuracy and precision based on the facts revealed during the investigation or otherwise and the misconduct involved.

"There are a number of instances where the courts have set aside the order of penalty due to inordinate delay in initiating action. Therefore, it has to be ensured that disciplinary proceedings are initiated without undue delay," it said.

The administrative department or competent authority should study the allegations more carefully and resort to minor penalty proceedings instead of initiating major penalty proceedings, where the circumstances involve minor infringements or cases of procedural irregularities.

"It has to be kept in mind that a minor penalty swiftly but judiciously imposed by a disciplinary authority is much more effective than a major penalty imposed after years spent on a protracted inquiry," the guidelines issued to all central government ministries and departments said.

The Centre also suggested that a charged officer should be given 3-4 days time, instead of 10, to give his written statement in reply to a charge sheet against him.

"There is undue delay due to repeated requests of the charged officer for time to give his written statement in reply to the charge sheet. As per existing instructions, the charged officer is allowed 10 days to submit his written statement.

"The charged officer may be allowed 3