Government tightens grip on babus, departmental inquiries to be time-bound

New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) All departmental inquiries against officers of the All-India Services will now have to be completed within six months, the government said on Monday as it tweaked the service rules.

Giving details about the decision, Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh said that the AIS (D&A) Rules, 1969 have been amended to provide specific time-lines at different stages of the enquiry, with a view to complete the disciplinary proceedings against the members of All-India Services in a time-bound manner.

As per the amended rules, a time limit of six months has been fixed for completion of departmental enquiry and submission of report.

"In case it is not possible to complete the enquiry within six months for justifiable reasons to be recorded in writing, additional time limit not exceeding six months at one time can be granted by the Disciplinary Authority, thereby ensuring accountability for completion of enquiry," the Minister said.

The accused will get 30 days time to give their response to the chargesheet which can be extended to not more than 30 days by the Disciplinary Authority.

But in no case the extension will be provided beyond 90 days, Singh said.

"Similarly, a period of 15 days has been provided to send a representation on the advice of UPSC regarding the penalty to be imposed on the delinquent officer and for such representation also, no extension will be provided beyond 45 days," he added.

Singh said that the amendment in the All India Service Rules has been brought in keeping with the spirit of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to "bring in more accountability and time-bound completion of every exercise in the course of governance".

The new amendment in the Rules, he said, will "strengthen the culture of working within deadlines".