Committee report on expediting disciplinary proceedings

The Government is considering a set of proposals to cut the time taken to penalise delinquent Government officials including sacking of officials found to be involved in corruption.

The Government had appointed a three member Committee of Experts to examine and suggest measures to expedite the process involved in Disciplinary/Vigilance Proceedings. The Committee has made a number of recommendations aimed at reducing time taken in conducting and concluding disciplinary proceedings against government servants. In its Report, the Committee has recommended :

· Creation of panels of Inquiry Officers from amongst both serving and retired government servants and enhancement of remuneration for conducting inquiries;

· Prescribing a time limit of two months for completion of minor penalty disciplinary inquiries and 12 months for major penalty disciplinary inquiries;

· Dispensing with second stage consultation with CVC;

· Dispensing with consultation with UPSC in minor penalty disciplinary cases;

· Setting up of Vigilance Commissions with statutory status in the States;

· Introduction of Plea-Bargaining in major penalty disciplinary inquiries;

· Major penalty of compulsory retirement to include cut in pension/gratuity;

· Amendment of Article 311 of the Constitution to provide for dismissal from service on charges of corrupt practices after beginning of trial in a competent court;