Officers facing corruption charges will now be mandatorily given a copy of the advice tendered by Union Public Service Commission to disciplinary authorities, before a final decision is taken against them.
Earlier, the UPSC, which is consulted in corruption cases against officers of All India Services (IAS, IPS and IFS), Group A categories and other such personnel recruited by them, was directly giving its advice to disciplinary authorities.
As per the new rules, on receiving the inquiry report, the Disciplinary Authority (DA) may examine it and forward it to the UPSC with its observations.
On receiving the Commission's report, the DA will examine it and forward it to the charged officer along with the inquiry report and his tentative reasons for disagreement with the inquiry report and/or the advice of the UPSC.
The charged officer would be required to submit, if he so desires, his written representation or submission to the DA within 15 days, irrespective of whether the inquiry report or advice of UPSC is in his favour or not, the rules said.
The Disciplinary Authority would consider the representation of the charged officer and take further action, they said.
"A copy of the advice of UPSC, in all cases where the Commission is consulted, may be provided to the charged officer," the Ministry of Personnel said in a directive issued to all central government departments yesterday.
All cases, where final orders have not been issued, may be processed as per these (new) guidelines, it said.
