UT adopts Centre’s timelines for disciplinary inquiry against staff

Dragged for years, the UT Administration has finally adopted the Central Government’s guidelines for fixing timelines for conducting disciplinary proceedings against employees.

The Department of Personnel has instructed all administrative secretaries, heads of departments, offices, institutions, boards and corporations to strictly follow prescribed timelines while conducting disciplinary proceedings against employees.

It has clarified that in line with a Government of India notification dated March 29, 2022, the service conditions of Group A, B and C employees under the administrative control of the UT Administrator have been aligned with those applicable to corresponding Central Civil Services posts with effect from April 1, 2022. There are around 21,000 employees across these three groups in the UT Administration.

The directions have been issued in compliance with observations made by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. In its order dated October 13 in the Khairati Lal vs State of Haryana case, the court had underscored the need for timely completion of disciplinary proceedings and issued specific directions to curb undue delays.

As such, the UT Administration adopted the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) guidelines. These guidelines prescribe clear procedures and timelines for handling disciplinary cases involving central civilian employees.

Officials said that earlier disciplinary inquiries often dragged on for years in the absence of fixed timelines. Proceedings were frequently delayed due to transfers or retirement of inquiry and disciplinary officers, routine adjournments sought by departments and charged employees, and slow movement of files.

The new procedure

As per the guidelines, a charge sheet has to be issued within 30 days of the decision taken to initiate disciplinary action

Inquiry proceedings have to be completed within six months; extensions in exceptional cases require recorded reasons and approval of the competent authority

Inquiry report has to be submitted within 15 days after completion of hearings.

Officer charged to be given 15 days, if required, on representation of inquiry report and a final decision to be passed within one month of receiving the inquiry report and the employee’s representation, if any.

Inquiry officer and presenting officer have to be appointed within 15 days of receipt of the defence statement or expiry of the time allowed.