Babus facing corruption charges may get promotion

Bureaucrats facing corruption charges will be able to get foregone promotions and subsequent benefits after getting a clean chit from disciplinary authority, as per draft guidelines formed by the Centre.
The move comes after the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) received several representations raising concerns in this regard.
They sought clarification on the date of promotion for IAS officers, who were facing corruption charges at the time of Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meeting, but were later exonerated, official sources said.
The DOPT has formulated draft guidelines in consultation with the Department of Legal Affairs and it has been proposed that the officer, who was not considered in the original DPC, would be considered for promotion if he or she is cleared form vigilance angle on the date of promotion of junior.

As per existing norms, details of officials under suspension or in respect of whom a chargesheet has been issued and disciplinary proceedings are pending or against whom prosecution for criminal charge is pending, should be specifically brought to the notice of concerned screening committees processing promotion related cases.
The screening committee shall assess the suitability of the officials coming within the purview of these circumstances, along with other eligible candidates, without taking into consideration the disciplinary case or criminal prosecution which is pending.

The assessment of the committee including 'unfit for promotion' and the grading awarded by it will be kept in a sealed cover. The same procedure will be adopted by the subsequent screening committees till the disciplinary case or criminal prosecution against the officer concerned is concluded, the norms said.

"The matter has been examined in consultation with the Department of Legal Affairs and it is proposed that in the case of review DPC, where a junior has been promoted on the recommendations of the original DPC, the official would be considered for promotion if he or she is clear from vigilance angle on the date of promotion of junior," the draft guidelines read.
The DoPT has sent these draft guidelines to the chief secretaries of state governments, Union territories, and cadre controlling authorities (Home Minister for IPS and Environment Ministry for IFoS) seeking their comments by this month-end.