All central government departments have been asked to review on monthly basis pending cases against IAS officers involved in alleged corruption so that necessary action is finalised against them in time and before their retirement.
The move comes after it was noticed that proposals relating to initiation of disciplinary proceedings against IAS officers are received by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), their cadre controlling authority, from the ministries close to the date of retirement of the officers.
"Due to delayed submission of proposals by ministries or departments, the cadre controlling authority often finds it difficult to complete examination of the proposals and obtain the approval of disciplinary authority before retirement of the officers," the DoPT said in a fresh guidelines.
The concerned Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), who acts as distant arm of Central Vigilance Commission to check corruption in a government organisation, of the ministries shall review all the cases relating to initiation of disciplinary proceedings against IAS officers on monthly basis and ensure that details of those likely to retire from service within next one year are highlighted in quarterly reports being sent to DoPT, it said.
Addressing an event here yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that 45 senior government officials were punished "for unsatisfactory performance and delivery in public service".
In all the cases where the ministries have decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against IAS officers under the government of India, these proposals shall invariably be sent to the cadre controlling authority within three months of receipt of the first stage advice of the CVC, the DoPT said in the guidelines issued to all central government ministries.
In case an officer against whom disciplinary proceeding is being contemplated and that officer is likely to retire from service in the next one year, the CVO of the concerned ministry or department will ensure that the proposal complete in all respects is sent to the cadre controlling authority, in a time bound manner, the DoPT said.
These instructions are aimed at tackling the problem of delay in processing the proposals for initiation of disciplinary proceedings against IAS officers.
There are about 4,802 IAS officials working across the country.
The new norms allow IAS, IPS and IFoS officers to accept
simple and inexpensive entertainment events arranged by public bodies or institutions. The proposed change in rules make it mandatory for the officers to submit annual returns to mandatorily include among others household equipments, automobiles or any other means of conveyance if their value exceed the concerned officer's two months basic pay.
In their annual return to the government, the civil servants have to give details of jewellery, insurance policies the annual premia of which exceeds two months basic pay of the member of service, besides shares, securities and debentures.
As per existing norms, they also have to mention loans advanced by or to such member of the service, motor cars, motor cycles, horses and refrigerators, radiograms and television sets.
Any violation of the conduct rules attracts necessary disciplinary action.
All chief secretaries of state governments and cadre controlling authorities-- Home Ministry for IPS officers and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for IFoS officers-- have been asked to send their comments on the proposed changes in the conduct rules by August 12.
