Sub: Public Services - Disciplinary cases against Government
employees – Departmental Inquiries - Time Schedule to expedite the inquiries - Orders
- Reiterated - Issued.
Ref : 1.Circular Memo. No.35676/Ser.C/98, G.A.(Ser.C)Dept., dated 1.7.98
2. Memo
No.23537/Ser.C/99-5, G.A.(Ser.c) dept., dated 28.7.99.
3.U.O.Note No.19952/Ser.C/2000, G.A. (Ser.C) Dept. 27.4.2000.
4.Memo No.51883/Ser.C/2002-2, G.A. (Ser.C) Dept. 19.12.2002.
5.U.O.Note No.58445/Ser.C/2002-2, G.A. (Ser.C) Dept. 24.1.2003.
6.Memo No.82494/Ser.C/2003,
G.A. (Ser.C) Dept. 28.7.2003.
2. But often it is found that even in simple cases like surprise checks, violation of conduct rules, in misappropriation of funds cases and in trap cases much time is consumed in completing the departmental inquiries beyond the prescribed time, resulting the interference by the Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal and High Court of Andhra Pradesh. Orders are being passed by Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal and High Court to the effect that failure to complete the departmental inquiry within stipulated period given by them, the disciplinary cases are liable to be dropped and the charged officers escape without any penalty being imposed against them even in cases where severe penalties are warranted against them. Further the avoidable work of review of suspensions after completion of two years period is dispensed with if inquiries are completed within the time schedule fixed. Particularly in cases of misappropriation where simultaneous departmental and criminal action needs to be initiated, completion of Departmental Inquiry within the period of 3 months greatly facilitate the investigation agency to complete the investigation and filling charge sheet in the criminal court quickly. Further, as misappropriation involves recovery of the misappropriated amounts from the charged officers, early completion of the departmental inquiry will help quick recovery of the misappropriated amount besides prevention of loss of evidence and leading to logistic end of the disciplinary proceedings.
3. In view of the above, the instructions issued in the references cited are reiterated. Government further order that the Inquiry Officers are liable for disciplinary action for their failure to complete the inquiry within stipulated period. In cases where large number of witnesses are to be examined and voluminous material papers are to be verified, the inquiry officers shall invariably take prior permission of the concerned disciplinary authorities by submitting detailed reasons for continuing the departmental inquiry beyond the stipulated period.
4. All the Departments of Secretariat, Heads of Departments, District Collectors and Regional Officers shall follow the above instructions scrupulously.
