[Circular Memo.No.3026/18/A2/Pen.1/99, Fin. & Plg., Dt:1-6-1999]
3. According to ruling 8 under Rule 9 of the Central
Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, action can be taken under Rule 9 of the
Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 (Similar to Rule 9 of Revised
Pension Rules, 1980) and as per the clarification issued by the Government of
India, Department of Pension and Training in O.M.No.28027/3/87-Estt(A), dated:
29th June, 1990 even in the absence of any pecuniary loss to
Government, the pension of the pensioner can be withheld or withdrawn after
following due procedure for an act of misconduct or negligence committed while
in service.
4. The Supreme Court of India, in the case of Union
of India and others Vs. B. Dev, A.I.R. 1998, S.C. 2709, while
explaining the scope of Rule 9 of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules,
1972 observed as follows:
“Rule 9 gives to the President
the right of-
(1) withholding or
withdrawing a pension or part thereof,
(2) either
permanently or for a specified period, and
(3) ordering
recovery from a pension of the whole or part of any pecuniary loss caused to
the Government. This power can be exercised, if, in any departmental or
judicial proceedings, the pensioner is found guilty of grave misconduct or
negligence during the period of his service. One of the powers of the President
is to recover from pension, in a case where any pecuniary loss in caused to the
Government that Loss. This is an independent power in addition to the power of
withdrawing or withholding pension. The contention of the respondent,
therefore, that Rule 9 cannot be invoked even in cases of grave misconduct
unless pecuniary loss is caused to the Government, is unsustainable.”
5. In view of the clarification given by the
Government of India, Department of Pension and Training and the rulings of the
Supreme Court the Government hereby clarifies that disciplinary proceedings
pertaining to a serious or grave act of misconduct/negligence committed by a
Government Servant can be continued or instituted in terms of Rule 9 of
R.P.Rules, 1980 or other corresponding rules, even if no pecuniary loss was
caused to the Government.

