Timely review suspension of corrupt officials:Govt tells depts

The Centre has asked all its departments to carry out timely review of suspension cases of the government officials accused of corruption or dereliction of duty and finalise expeditiously disciplinary proceedings against them.
As per norms, a government employee can be suspended if a disciplinary proceeding against him is contemplated or is pending; or he has engaged himself in activities prejudicial to the interest of the security of the State; or where a case against him in respect of any criminal offence is under investigation, inquiry or trial.
A disciplinary authority may also suspend a government employee where his continuance in office will be against the wider public interest--such as there is public scandal and it is necessary to place him under suspension to demonstrate the policy of the government to deal strictly with officers involved in such scandals, particularly corruption--and in cases where his continuance in office will prejudice the investigation.

It is brought to the notice of the government that in cases of prolonged suspension period, the courts have pointed out that the suspension cannot be continued for long and that inspite of the Centre's instructions, the disciplinary authorities are not finalising the proceedings within the stipulated time, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has said in an order.
Also, in such cases the government is unnecessarily paying subsistence allowance without extracting any work and if, on the culmination of the disciplinary proceedings, the charged officer is exonerated from the charges, the government has to unnecessarily pay the full salary and treat the period of suspension as on duty etc., it said.

"It is, therefore, desirable that timely review of suspension is conducted in a just and proper manner and that the disciplinary proceedings are finalised expeditiously," the DoPT said.