Babus facing graft charges get chance to prove innocence

NEW DELHI, Mar 6: Officers facing graft charges will now get another chance to defend themselves as the Government has allowed them to submit a representation on the advice tendered by UPSC to disciplinary authorities before a final decision is taken.

As per rules, the inquiry report together with the representation, if any, of the Government servant may be forwarded to the Union Public Service Commission for advice.

“On receipt of the Commission’s advice, a copy of the advice may be provided to the Government servant who may be allowed to submit his representation, if any, on the Commission’s advice within fifteen days.

“The Disciplinary Authority will consider the inquiry report, advice of the Commission and the representation(s) of the Government servant before arriving at a final decision,” the Ministry of Personnel said in a directive issued to all Central Government departments yesterday.

The UPSC is consulted by the Central Hovernment in graft cases against officers of All India Services (IAS, IPS and IFS) Group A categories and other such personnel recruited by them.

The new rules have been formed after the Centre found that the manner of communication of the advice of the UPSC to the delinquent Government servant had been subject matter of litigation in some cases in Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) and High Courts. (PTI)