Disciplinary proceedings have begun in cases against 20 Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officials for breach of government rules.
There have been two orders for suspension in service and a police First Information Report registered in one case.
There were three cases taken up between December 2010 and November 2011. Another 17 cases were taken up between December 2011 and July 2012.
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had recommended disciplinary proceedings against the officials on account of abuse of position to favour airlines they were supposed to regulate.
It was also alleged they had promoted interests of their kin.
Among the officials against whom enquiries are on are joint directors-general A K Sharan, Charan Das and J S Rawat; directors R S Passi and A K Bhardwaj and deputy director Raje Bhatnagar.
A case against A K Sharan, joint DG, in the matter of the flight training and DGCA examination of his daughter, has been sent to the civil aviation ministry for seeking the CVC’s first stage advice. A recommendation has been given for major penalty proceedings against A K Bhardwaj, director, regarding his daughter’s employment in a private airline, allegedly done by abusing his official position and without prior permission of the government.
“The enquiry officer for different cases are in the process of being appointed or are appointed. The prerogative of appointing the enquiry officer for disciplinary action is with the appointing authority of the implicated officer,” an official told Business Standard.
The chargesheet will be issued to the implicated person. The enquiry officer will see all the documents and a report will be formed and the implicated officer will be given a full right to explain his side. After the full enquiry, the penalty will be recommended by the enquiry officer. The extent of penalty will be in concurrence with the CVC and the Union Public Service Commission, the official added.
Major penalty could mean dismissal from government or removal from service or cumulative stoppage of increments.
