Punishment for Corrupt Officials

The Government is considering a set of proposals to cut the time taken to penalise delinquent Government officials including sacking of officials found to be involved in corruption.

The Government had appointed a three member Committee of Experts to examine and suggest measures to expedite the process involved in Disciplinary/Vigilance Proceedings. The Committee has made a number of recommendations aimed at reducing time taken in conducting and concluding disciplinary proceedings against government servants. In its Report, the Committee has recommended :

· Creation of panels of Inquiry Officers from amongst both serving and retired government servants and enhancement of remuneration for conducting inquiries;

Prescribing a time limit of two months for completion of minor penalty disciplinary inquiries and 12 months for major penalty disciplinary inquiries;

Dispensing with second stage consultation with CVC;

Dispensing with consultation with UPSC in minor penalty disciplinary cases;

Setting up of Vigilance Commissions with statutory status in the States;

Introduction of Plea-Bargaining in major penalty disciplinary inquiries;

Major penalty of compulsory retirement to include cut in pension/gratuity;

Amendment of Article 311 of the Constitution to provide for dismissal from service on charges of corrupt practices after beginning of trial in a competent court;

The Report of Committee is under examination.

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Shri V. Narayanasamy in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.