The Central government has changed a key rule that will ensure that cases of corruption filed against government employees are decided within six months. The change in the rule — which is 50 years old — means there will no more be indeterminate waits by people to get justice if they complain of corruption by any government servant.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, has reportedly amended the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules of 1965 to ensure that any probes of graft against government employees are conducted completely within six months of the Inquiring Authority receiving a report on the corruption that allegedly took place.
The new rule is applicable to Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IfoS) officers, as well as officials from a few other services. An officer accused of graft may have to first face a Disciplinary Authority and then an Inquiring Authority if he or she has to prove himself or herself not guilty of charges levelled against him or her.
The amended law, which was notified on June 2, says that a government servant will first have the opportunity to clear his or her name in front of the Disciplinary Authority, by providing a written reply. If the Disciplinary Authority is not satisfied with the reply, the matter will go before the Inquiring Authority.
The new law then says: "The Inquiring Authority should conclude the inquiry and submit his report within a period of six months from the date of receipt of the order of his appointment as Inquiring Authority."
It goes on to add that where it is not possible to adhere to the time limit, the Inquiring Authority may record the reasons and seek an extension of time from the disciplinary authority in writing, who may allow an additional time not exceeding six months.
The new rule also says: "The extension for a period not exceeding six months at a time may be allowed for any good and sufficient reasons to be recorded in writing by the Disciplinary Authority or any other Authority authorised by the Disciplinary Authority on his behalf."
Neither of these limits — for the Disciplinary as well as the Inquiring authorities — were in place earlier. These limits are expected to ensure timely delivery of justice in corruption complaints filed against government servants.
