Thought for Today, 29 th June 2020

Life is a trip. The only problem is that it does not come with a map. We have to search our own routes to reach our destination.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

महाराष्ट्र नागरी सेवा ( शिस्त व अपील ) नियम १९७९ या पुस्तकाची तिसरी आवृत्ती

महाराष्ट्र नागरी सेवा ( शिस्त व अपील) नियम १९७९ या मी संपादित केलेल्या पुस्तकाच्या पहिल्या व दुस-या आवृत्तीस उत्तम प्रतिसाद लाभला व पुस्तकाच्या सर्व प्रती संपून बराच काळ लोटला. पुस्तकाची  तिसरी आवृत्ती काढावी  म्हणून अनेकांनी प्रत्यक्ष भेटून तसेच पत्राद्वारे व इंटरनेटच्या माध्यमातून मागणी केली.म्हणून या पुस्तकाची तिसरी आवृत्ती , यशवंतराव चव्हाण विकास प्रकाशन प्रबोधिनीने नुकतीच प्रसिध्द केली आहे.

सदर पुस्तकात दि. १ जून २०१४ पर्यंत सुधारित केलेले नियम देण्यात आले आहेत. याशिवाय सदर पुस्तकात संक्षिप्त टीपा,  शिस्तभंगविषयक कार्यवाही संदर्भातील महत्वाचे शासन निर्णय व महत्वाची  परिपत्रके, अंतर्भूत करण्यात आली आहेत. याशिवाय शिस्तभंग विषयक अधिकारी,चौकशी अधिकारी, सादरकर्ता अधिकारी, बचाव सहाय्यक अपिलीय अधिकारी  इत्यादी अधिका-या साठी  सविस्तर मार्गदर्शक सूचना  देण्यात आल्या आहेत. सेवानिवृत्त कर्मचा-याविरुध्द कारवाई या विषयाबाबत स्वतंत्र प्रकरण देण्यात आले आहे.

या  तिस-या आवृत्तीचे वैशिष्ठ्य असे  आहे की, अभ्यासकांनी व वाचकांनी केलेल्या मागणीनुसार " शिस्तभंग विषयक कार्यवाहीची क्रमवार कार्यपध्दती" हे प्रकरण नव्याने अंतर्भूत करण्यात आले आहे. 

पुस्तकाच्या तिस-या आवृत्तीस देखील अभ्यासक व शासकीय कर्मचारी उत्तम प्रतिसाद देतील अशी आशा आहे.

पुस्तकाची किंमत २५० रुपये असली तरी हे पुस्तक यशदा मध्ये २०० रुपयास उपलब्ध आहे.पुस्तक पोस्टाने मागवायचे असेल तर त्या संदर्भात यशदाच्या प्रकाशन विभागाशी ०२०-२५६०८२६६ किंवा २५६०८२२७ या दूरध्वनी वर संपर्क साधावा.

पूर्वीप्रमाणेच पुस्तकाची तृतीय आवृत्तीचे संपादन करण्यासाठी मी कोणतेही मानधन घेतलेले नाही. 

Monday, September 08, 2014

Pensioner and Disciplinary Proceedings

A few days back a retired officer had come to me for cosultation. The facts of his case were as under,

" An order was issued by his immediate superior on the date of his retirement stateing that on the basis of conclusions in the the preliminary inquiry, it has been decided to coduct a regular departmental inquiry for the lapses on his  part . Accordingly a regualar charge sheet was served on him after his retirement. However he was granted a provisional pension (and not final pension) and his gratuity was withheld "

The query of the officer was whether it was legally valid to grant only provisional pension and withhold the gratuity only on the basis of conclusions in the preliminary inquiry.In order to find the right answer, the provisions in Rule 27 of M.C.S.(D.& A.) Rules 1982 as well as various judgements on the point in issue were studied in depth. It was found that the Supreme court has held that the disciplinary proceedings stand instituted only when a regular charge sheet is issued to hold  regular departmental proceedings,  The finance department of Government of Maharashtra has also indicated in their G.R. dated 25th March 1991 that the payment of final pension and the gratuity cannot be withheld only on the basis of the proposed departmental proceedings. Since no regular charge sheet was issued before the date of retirement, No departmental proceedings were pending on the date of retirement and therefore it would have been appropriate and legal to grant final pension and also the gratuity.

The relevant judgements on the subject have been uploaded on this blog at S.No. 26 in the list under the caption " Disciplinary Proceedings- Important Judgements." Those interested can get them downloaded.

Wednesday, September 03, 2014

ऑगस्ट २०१४ मध्ये शासनाने निर्गमित केले महत्वाचे शासन निर्णय व परिपत्रके

ऑगस्ट २०१४ मध्ये शासनाने निर्गमित केलेले खालील महत्वाचे शासन निर्णय व परिपत्रके या ब्लॉग वर " नुकतीच निर्गमित केलेली परिपत्रके व शासन निर्णय " या शीर्षकाखालील यादीत अनुक्रमांक १४९ ते १५३ वर उपलब्ध करून देण्या आली आहेत.संबंधितांनी ती जरूर तर डाउनलोड करून घ्यावीत.

१) राज्य प्रशिक्षण धोरणानुसार जिल्हा प्रशासकीय प्रशिक्षण संस्था घोषित करण्याबाबत
     सामान्य प्रशासन विभाग , शासन निर्णय दिनांक १३ ऑगस्ट २०१४ 

२) शासन सेवेत सरळसेवा भरतीसाठी समांतर आरक्षण कार्यान्वित करण्र्याबाबतच्र्या कार्यपध्दतीबाबत मार्गदर्शनार्थ  स्पष्टीकरण, सामान्य प्रशासन विभाग ,परिपत्रक दिनांक १३ ऑगस्ट २०१४

३) विभागीय चौकशीतील दोषारोपाचे ज्ञापन
जोडपत्रे तयार करताना तसेच ती शासकीय कर्मचारी व  चौकशी अधिका-यांना पाठविताना घ्यावयाची काळजी
सामान्य प्रशासन विभाग परिपत्रक दिनांक १९-ऑगस्ट २०१४

    सामान्य प्रशासन विभाग परिपत्रक ,दिनांक १९-०८-२०१४ 

   सामान्य प्रशासन विभाग परिपत्रक दिनांक २६ ऑगस्ट २०१४


   

Friday, August 29, 2014

Fixation of pay of State Government Employees on their appointment in Central Government – Dopt order

Fixation of pay of State Government Employees on their appointment in Central Governmentsubsequent to implementation of CCS (RP) Rules, 2008.
No.12/1/2009-Estt (Pay-I)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
New Delhi the 28th August, 2014
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Fixation of pay of State Government Employees on their appointment in Central Government, subsequent to implementation of CCS (RP) Rules, 2008.
The undersigned is directed to say that the method of fixation of pay of State Government employees on their appointment under the Central Government has been spelt out in this Department’s OM No.12/1/94-Estt(Pay-I) dated 24 March, 1994, 3rd January, 1996 and OM NO.13/2/99-Estt (Pay-I) dated 18.6.2001.
2. The question of fixation of pay in cases of appointment from State Govt. to Centrat Govt. consequent upon revision of pay scales on acceptance of the recommendations of the VI Central Pay Commission in the revised pay structure has been considered in consultation with the Department of Expenditure and the President is pleased to decide that in cases of appointment of State Government employees in Central Government on or after 1.1.2006, pay will be fixed in the following manner:-
(a) Where the State Government has revised the Pay scales of their employees on the pattern of VI Central pay Commission at the base index of 115.76 as per AICPI (IW) 2001 series w.e.f. 1.1.2006 the pay of these State Government employees on their appointment under the Central Government would be fixed as follows:
(i) When the appointment is to a post carrying higher Grade Pay, one increment equaI to 3% of the sum of the pay in the existing grade pay will be computed and rounded off to the next multiple of 10. This will then be added to the existing pay in the pay band. The grade pay corresponding to the higher post will thereafter be granted in addition to this pay in the pay band. In cases where the appointment involves change in pay band also, the same methodology will be followed. However. if the pay in the pay band after adding the increment is less than the minimum of the higher pay band to which the appointment is takihg place, pay in the pay band will be stepped up to such minimum.
(ii) Where the appointment is to a post involving identical Grade Pay, the individual shall continue to draw the same pay.
(b) Where the State Government have revised the pay scales of their employees after 1.1.2006 beyond the base index of 115.76 as per AICPI (IW) 2001 series, basic pay of the employees is to be determined first in the Central Scale by reducing the element of DA, ADA, IR etc. granted by the State Government after 1.1.2006 (beyond the base index of 115.76 as per AICPI (IW) 2001 series) and thereafter the pay would be fixed as provided in the clause (i) &(ii) under sub para (a) above.
(c) Where the state Government have either not revised or revised the pay scale of their employees on or after 1.1.2006 below the base index of 115.76 as per AlCPl (IW) 2001 series, basic pay of these employees shall be determined first in the Central scale, by adding the element of D.A. ADA upto base index of 115.76 as per AICPI (IW) 2001 series granted by the State Government and thereafter their pay would be fixed as provided in the clause (i) &(ii) under sub-para (a) above.
3. These orders are applicable to employees of the State Government and local bodies under the State including Emergency Divisional Accountants/Divisional Accountants / local bodies under the State Government appointed under Central Government on or after 1.1.2006.
4. In so far as the employees serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
5. Hindi version will follow.
sd/-
(Mukesh Chaturvedi)
Director (Pay)

Monday, August 25, 2014

सादरकर्ता अधिका-याची "कर्तव्ये व जबाबदा-या

शिस्तभंग विषयक प्रकरणात शिस्तभंग विषयक अधिकारी सादरकर्ता अधिका-याची नेमणूक करतात. परंतु सादरकर्ता अधिका-यांना त्यांची नेमकी कर्तव्ये व जबाबदा-या काय आहेत याची कल्पना नसते, त्यामुळे शिस्तभंग विषयक अधिका-याची बाजू समर्थपणे चौकशी  अधिका-या समोर मांडली जात  नाही व त्याचा  परिणाम असा होतो की अपचारी कर्मचारी दोषी असूनही त्याचेविरुध्द दोषारोप सिद्ध केले जात नाहीत व त्याची दोषारोपांपासून मुक्तता होते. असे अनेकवेळा अनुभवास येते. तसेच सादरकर्ता अधिका-याची कर्तव्ये व जबाबदा-या योग्य तऱ्हेने व   समर्थपणे पार न पडणा-या अधिका-यांच्या विरुध्द कधीच कारवाई केली जात नाही. हे सर्व टाळण्यासाठी , सादरकर्ता अधिका-याची नेमकी कर्तव्ये व जबाबदा-या काय आहेत हे शासनाने ठरवून द्यावे व सादरकर्ता अधिका-याची नेमणूक करताना ,त्याची कर्तव्ये व जबाबदा-या काय आहेत याची यादी नेमणूक पत्रासोबत जोडावी अशा सूचना सामान्य प्रशासन  विभागाने काढाव्यात अशी सूचना मी शासन बरेच दिवसापूर्वी केली होती. तसेच सादरकर्ता अधिका-याची कर्तव्ये व जबाबदा-या काय आहेत याची यादी शासनास पाठविली होती.

 सांगण्यास आनंद होती की शासनाने वरील सूचना मान्य करून यासंदर्भातील परिपत्रक  दि. २२ ऑगस्ट २०१४ रोजी निर्गमित केले आहे.सदर परिपत्रक  " Recent and Important "या शीर्षकाखालील यादीत अनुक्रमांक  २४  वर या ब्लॉग वर उपलब्ध करून देण्यात आले आहे.सर्व संबंधितांनी ते जरूर डाउनलोड करून घ्यावे  व शासन परिपत्रकातील  सूचनांची योग्य तऱ्हेने अंमल बजावणी करावी. 

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

SC /ST/ OBC Reservation- Frequently asked Questions and their Answers

There is reservation in Recruitment and promotion  for  persons belonging to SC/ST/OBC category. The State Government has issued number of Government Resolutions and also the circulars for the guidance. Inspite of this there are number of doubts and questions  as regards implementation of Reservation Policy.  The State Government has not issued  "Frequently asked questions and Answers" in regard to implementation of  Reservaion Policy. However the D.O.P.T. Government of India has issued Office Memorandun enlisting  " Frequently asked questions and Answers " as regards Reservation Policy. mainly for the guidance of Central Government employees.  They will also be useful for the State Government employees. Therefore these " Frequently asked questions and Answers " as regards Reservation Policy are uploaded on this blog and are available at Serial Number 23 in the list under caption " Recent and Important". The state Government employees may study them along with G.Rs issued by the State Government while implementing policy of Reservation.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

महाराष्ट्र विकास सेवेतील गट "अ " व गट "ब " च्या अधिका-यांच्या संदर्भातील दक्षता रोध, शिक्षा , गोपनीय अहवाल वगैरे बाबत विभागीय आयुक्तांना शासनाचे अधिकार देण्याबाबत

महाराष्ट्र विकास सेवेतील गट "अ " व गट "ब " च्या अधिका-यांच्या संदर्भातील दक्षता रोध, शिक्षा , गोपनीय अहवाल वगैरे बाबत विभागीय आयुक्तांना शासनाचे अधिकार देण्या संदर्भात गरम विकास विभागाने ३० जून २०१४ रोजी शासन निर्णय निर्गमित केला आहे. सदर शासन निर्णय या ब्लॉगवर " Recent and Important"  या शीर्षकाखालील यादीत अनुक्रमांक २२ वर उपलब्ध आहे.

वर नमूद केलेल्या शासन निर्णयाप्रमाणे गट " ब" च्या अधिका-यांना किरकोळ शिक्षा देण्याचे अधिकार आयुक्तांना देण्यात आले आहेत.

महाराष्ट्र नागरी सेवा (शिस्त व अपील ) नियम १९७९ मधील तरतुदीनुसार जबर व किरकोळ शिक्षा देण्याचे अधिकार नियुक्ती अधिकारी यांना आहेत. तर किरकोळ शिक्षा देण्याचे अधिकार शिस्तभंगविषयक अधिका-यांना आहेत. विभाग प्रमुख, प्रादेशिक विभाग प्रमुख व कार्यालयीन  प्रमुख हेदेखील शिस्तभंग विषयक अधिकारी असतात. परंतु यांचे शिक्षा देण्यासंदर्भात नेमके काय अधिकार आहेत याबद्दल अनेक अधिका-यांच्या मनात शंका आहेत. या सर्व शंका दूर होण्याच्या दृष्टीने सर्व प्रशासकीय विभागांनी सविस्तर मार्गदर्शक सूचना काढणे अत्यंत जरुरीचे आहे. अशा आहे की शासनाचे सर्व प्रशासकीय विभाग याबाबत योग्य ती कार्यवाही जरूर करतील.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Guidelines for treatment of effect of penalties imposed- Role of Departmental Promotion Committee

The department of personnel and training has issued very important and detailed guidelines  as regards  the effect of penalties imosed against an employee on his/her promotion and also the role of Departmental Promotion Comittee, vide  office Meomorandum dated 24 th April 2014.

The above said O.M. has been made available on this blog at S.N.21   in the list Under caption " Recent and Important ".  The same can be got downloaded if necesary.

The guidelines in this O.M. will be useful not only for the guidance of the Central Government Deaprtments /employees but to State Government Departments / employees. 

Tuesday, July 01, 2014

Civil Services Examination - Frequently aksed Questions & Answers

There are number of young  students who want to appear for Civil Services Examination and make their career in Public Service. They require information on various aspects related to the said examination. They have number of questions in their mind which need answer. 

The Department of Personnel & Training  considering the felt need  has prepared Frequently asked questions and their replies for the benefit of all those desirous of appearing for the said examination. These Frequently asked questions with their replies are available on this blog at S.No. 20 in the list under caption " Recent and Important ". Those interested get it downloaded.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

10% increase in pension/family pension of pensioners/ family pensioners from 1 st April 2014

८० वर्षे व त्यावरील निवृत्तिवेतन / कुटुंब निवृत्तिवेतनधारकांच्या निवृत्तिवेतन / कुटुंबनिवृत्तिवेतनात दि. १ एप्रिल २०१४ पासून १० टक्के वाढ करण्याचा महाराष्ट्र शासनाने घेतला आहे. त्यासंबंधीचा शासन निर्णय दि. ९ जून २०१४ रोजी निर्गमित केला आहे.सदर शासन निर्णय या ब्लॉग वर " Recent and Important" या शिर्षकाखालील यादीत अनुक्रमांक १९ वर उपलब्ध आहे.तो जरूर तर डाउनलोड करून घेता येऊ शकेल.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

During the recording of deposition of a witness can the remaining witnesses be allowed to remain present ?

विभागीय चौकशीचे वेळी शिस्तभंग विषयक अधिका-याचे वतीने  साक्ष देणा-या साक्षीदारांची साक्ष नोंदविली जाते . अशी साक्ष नोंदविताना इतर साक्षीदारांना उपस्थित राहू देण्याची परवानगी देता येईल कां, या प्रश्नाचे उत्तर,  अलाहाबाद उच्च न्यायालयाने  शारदा प्रसाद विश्वकर्मा विरुध्द उत्तर प्रदेश  सरकार या प्रकरणातील निकालपत्रात दिले आहे.

" एका साक्षीदाराची साक्ष नोंदविताना इतर साक्षीदारांना हजर राहण्याची परवानगी दिल्यास , साक्षीदाराच्या जवाबातील कमतरता / उणीवा भरून काढण्याची संधी इतर साक्षीदारांना त्यांची साक्ष देताना होऊ शकेल आणि ते नैसर्गिक न्यायाच्या तत्वांच्या विरुद्ध होईल.सबब अशी परवानगी देणे उचित होणार नाही व अशी परवानगी दिल्यास  ती विभागीय चौकशी रद्दबातल होऊ शकते." असा निर्णय अलाहाबाद उच्च न्यायालयाने वरील प्रकरणात दिला आहे.

वरील न्यायालयीन निर्णयाची  नोंद संबंधितानी घ्यावी .अर्थात साक्ष नोंदविताना इतर साक्षीदारांना उपस्थित राहू देण्याची परवानगी देणे हे नैसर्गिक न्यायाच्या तत्वांच्या विरुध्द होईल हे तत्व अपचारी कर्मचा-याच्या वतीने साक्ष देणा-या साक्षीदारांची साक्ष नोंदविताना देखील लागू असेल.

वरील निकालपत्र या ब्लॉग वर " Recent and Important " या शिर्षकाखालील यादीत अनुक्रमांक १८ वर उपलब्ध आहे.ते जरूर तर डाउनलोड करून घेता येईल.

Monday, June 09, 2014

State Government Employees have to submit property Return every year

शासकीय कर्मचा-यांना (गट ड चे कर्मचारी वगळून) नियुक्तीचे वेळी व त्यानंतर दर ५ वर्षांनी मालमत्तेचे व दायित्वाचे विवरण सादर करावे  लागत असे. शासनाने या संदर्भात पूर्वी दिलेल्या सूचना अधिक्रमित करून दिनांक २ जून २०१४ च्या शासन निर्णयाअन्वयेखालील सूचना निर्गमित केल्या आहेत.

प्रथम नियुक्तीचे वेळी सादर करावयाचे विवरणपत्र : 

 प्रत्येक राज्य शासकीय कर्मचा-याने ( गट- ड चे कर्मचारी वगळून) शासकीय सेवेत प्रथम प्रवेश करतेवेळी नियुक्ती दिनांकापासून २ महिन्याच्या कालावधीत मालमत्तेचे  व दायित्वाचे विवरण पत्र शासनास/ विभाग प्रमुखास/कार्यालयीन प्रमुखास  सादर करावयाचे आहे.

त्यानंतर सादर करावयाचे विवरणपत्र :

 प्रथम नियुक्तीनंतर  प्रत्येक वर्षाच्या मार्च अखेरीस असलेली मालमत्ता व दायित्वे दाखविणारे विवरण पत्र प्रत्येक  वर्षाच्या जून अखेपर्यंत सादर करावयाचे आहे.

सदर विवरण पत्रे सीलबंद लखोट्यात सादर करावयाची आहेत. 

 शासनामधील सर्व टप्प्यावरील पदोन्नती , आश्वासित योजने अंतर्गत पदोन्नती, प्रतिनियुक्ती, विदेश दौरा  यासाठी,  त्या त्या वर्षाची विवरणपत्रे सादर केलेली असली पाहिजेत अशी पूर्व अट  वरील शासननिर्णयाद्वारे विहित करण्यात आली आहे.

मालमता व दायित्वाच्या विवरण पत्राचा नमुना सादर शासन निर्णया सोबत जोडला आहे.


वर नमूद केलेला दिनांक २ जून २०१४ चा महत्वपूर्ण शासन निर्णय या ब्लॉग वर " Recent and Important" या शीर्षकाखालील यादीत अनुक्रमांक १७ वर उपलब्ध आहे.जरूर तर तो डाउनलोड करून घेता येऊ शकेल.

Monday, June 02, 2014

Can the minor penalty be imposed simply considering the reply to charge sheet for imposing major penalty , and not holding fullfledged inquiry

The question as to  whether it is obligatory on the part of the Disciplinary Authority to conduct a full fledged departmental inquiry even if, after considering the reply of the delinquent, the authority decides to impose a minor penalty, for which no full fledged departmental inquiry is required., was considered by the Supreme court in the case of  D.H.B.V.N.L. VIDYUT NAGAR, HISAR & OTHERS  V/S  SINGH GULIA.


Yashveer was an employee of Haryana Electricity Board.He was issued a charge sheet for imposing a major penalty. After considering the replies of the employee a minor penalty of stoppage of one  increment without future effect was imposed. An appeal filed by him against the same was dismissed by the appellate authority. Yashvir after ten years filed a civil suit for a declaration that the order imposing minor penalty is illegal and void. The said suit came to be dismissed. An appeal was filed against the said order in the court of District judge.The district judge held that imposition of minor penalty without holding regular departmental inquiry is bad in law and the order of civil judge was set aside and suit was decreed in favour of the employee- Yashvir. Aggrieved by the said order the Board filed an appeal to High Cort of Punjab & Haryana. The high court rejected the appeal holding that the Board should not have imposed the minor punishment without holding full fledged inquiry. Aggrieved by the said order the Board filed an appeal to the Supreme Court.


The Supreme Court after hearing the arguments of both the parties held that the employee was given the opportunity when a charge sheet was issued for imposing major penalty and the Board considering the reply has imposed minor penalty and that no full fledged inquiry is necessary before imposing a minor penalty. The appeal was allowed and the order of the District judge and High Court was set aside.

The above mentioned judgement is available on this blog at serial number 16 in the list  the caption " Recent and Important." the same can be got downloaded, if required.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Acquittal in criminal case does not entail in automatic reinstatement of employee dismissed as a result of disciplinary proceedings

A question is always raised as to whether the employee dismissed from service following disciplinary proceedings , is liable to be reinstated on aquttal by a criminal court on the ground of identity of charges in the departmental as well as criminal proceedings. This question has been squarely answered by the Supreme Court in the judgement delivered on 28-11-2013 in the case of State of West Bengal  v/s Shanakr Ghosh.

The respndent was charged with offences under Indian Penal Code read with provisons in Arms Act. He was arrested and in jail for about 3 months and later released on bail. He was suspended and a regular disciplinary proceedings were held . The charges in the departmental proceedings and criminal proceedings were almost identical. As a result of disciplinary proceedings the employee came to be dismissed from service. His appeal was also dismissed.Later on criminal case he was aquitted. He approached the tribunal praying for issue of directions to reinstate him in view of his aquittal.His prayer was allowed and his reinstatement was ordered.The state government filed an appeal to West Bengal  High Court and the same came to be dismissed. The state Government being aggrieved, filed an S.L.P. to the supreme court challenging the order of the tribunal and High Court.

The supreme court after hearing the arguments and going through the evidence and the judgment in criminal case found out that it was not a clean and honorable acquittal and held that on the basis of such acqittal, the reinstatement of an employee dismissed from service after holding regular departmental proceedings cannot be ordered. The supreme court held as under, 

" Even if there is identity of charges levelled against the respondent before the criminal court as well as before the Enquiry officer, an order of discharge or acquittal of a police offcer by a criminal court shall not be a bar to the award of the departmental punishmnet." and the appeal filed by the state government was allowed and the orderes of the Tribunal and the High court was set aside.

The above said judgement is available on this blog under caption "Recent and Important ". The same can be downloaded for study. 

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Whistle blowers Protection Act 2011

People who expose corruption in government or irregularities by public functionaries can now be free of any fear of victimisation. The Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2011, which provides a mechanism for protecting the identity of whistleblowers — a term given to people who expose corruption — got the assent of President . Gazettle notification of the Act was issued on 12 th May 2014.
The above said notification is available on this blog under caption " Worth Visiting"
The Act  provides for a system to encourage people to disclose information about corruption or the wilful misuse of power by public servants, including ministers.
As per the law, a person can make a public interest disclosure on corruption before a competent authority — which is at present the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The government, by notification, can appoint any other body also for receiving such complaints about corruption, the Act says. The Act, however, lays down punishment of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 30,000 for false or frivolous complaints.
“Any person who makes a mala fide disclosure, knowing that it was incorrect or false or misleading, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to two years as well as a fine which may extend up to Rs 30,000,” according to a gazette notification of the Act issued on Monday by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
The Act says that every disclosure shall be made in good faith and the person making the disclosure shall provide a personal declaration stating that he reasonably believes that the information disclosed by him and the allegation contained therein is substantially true.
Disclosures can be made in writing or by email or email message in accordance with the procedure as may be prescribed and contain full particulars and be accompanied by supporting documents, or other material, the Act states.
However, no action shall be taken on a disclosure if it does not indicate the identity of the complainant or public servant or if “the identity of the complainant or public servant is found to be incorrect”.
Information related to national security has been kept out of the purview of the Act. The Act is not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir, the armed forces and the Special Protection Group mandated to provide security to the Prime Minister and former prime ministers, among others.
Earlier, the CVC was the designated agency to receive complaints from whistleblowers under the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informer resolution (PIDPI) or whistleblowers’ resolution.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) had directed all central government departments to designate a nodal officer in each ministry to look into complaints of corruption received from whistleblowers under PIDPI.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Creamy layer - Letter written by Government of India, D.O.P.T. to State Chief Secretaries clarifying the concept of Creamy layer

क्रिमीलेअरच्या संदर्भात शासन निर्णय,  यशदा तर्फे काढल्या जाणा-या यशोमंथन या मासिकातील लेख इत्यादी  बाबी या ब्लॉग वर यापूर्वीच उपलब्ध करून देण्यात आल्या   आहेत.

या विषयां संदर्भातील विविध बाबींचा खलास करणारे एक पत्र   ऑक्टोबर २००४ मध्ये सर्व राज्यांच्या मुख्य सचिवांना पाठविले होते. या पत्रावरून कोणती व्यक्ती  क्रिमी लेअर मध्ये मोडते हे स्पष्ट होते.

सदर पत्र आता या ब्लॉगवर " नुकतेच व महत्वाचे " या शीर्षकाखाली असलेल्या यादीत अनुक्रमांक १४ वर उपलब्ध करून देण्यात आले आहे. ते जरूर तर डाउनलोड करून घेता येईल.

Wednesday, May 07, 2014

10% increase in D.A. to State Government employees from 1st January 2014

शासकीय कर्मचा-यांच्या महागाई भत्त्यात १ जानेवारी २०१४ पासून वाढ करण्या संबंधी शासन निर्णय वित्त विभागाने ७ मे रोजी शासन निर्णय निर्गमित केला आहे.

सदर शासन निर्णयाद्वारे राज्य शासकीय कर्मचारी व इतर पात्र पूर्णकालीक कर्मचा-यांच्या महागाई भत्त्यात १ जानेवारी २०१४ पासून १० टक्के वाढ करण्यात आली आहे. आता कर्मचा-यांना १ जानेवारी २०१४ पासून सुधारित वेतन संरचनेतील मूळ वेतनावर (वेतन बँड मधील वेतन अधिक ग्रेड वेतन ) १०० टक्के महागाई भत्ता देय असेल.

१ मेपासून महागाई भत्त्याची रक्कम रोखीत मिळणार आहे. १ जानेवारी २०१४ ते ३० एप्रिल २०१४ या कालावधीतील महागाई भत्त्याची थकबाकी बाबत शासन स्वतंत्र आदेश काढणार आहे.



The above mentioned Government Resolution is available on this blog in the list under caption " Recent and Important".

Sunday, April 27, 2014

CREAMY LAYER - CRITERIA

The persons belonging to Other backward class , not falling in Creamy layer, have been given reservation in Diretct Recruitement . Similarly the sons/daughters of such persons are also entitled for benefits while seeking admissions in educational insttitutions.

There have been doubts on large scale , about what does the Creamy Layer means. The  Government of India have issued orders (O/M. dated 27 th May 2013 increasing the income limit to Rs. 6 lakhs per year for last 3 years., for deciding as to whether the person falls in Creamy layer or not.  Government of Maharshtra has also increased the lilit to Rs. 6 lakhs p.a. vide G.R. date 24-6-2013 There is reservation for women ( not belonging to Creamy layer), in Maharshtra ( Mahila Arkshan) in direct recruitment.

In order to ensure that everyone is clear about what does the creamy layer menas, I had writeen an article, " इतर मागासवर्गीयांचे आरक्षण -उन्नत व प्रगत व्यक्तीगट ठरविण्याचे निकष ",which had appeared in "Yashomanthan" issue for June- September 2011 published by Yahsada. The said article along with the following material is made available on this blog under heading  "Recent and Important."

1) Government of India O.M. dated 8th September 1993
2)  Chapter 2 (along with Anexure) of Broachure on Reservation          published by G.O.I.
3) Govt. maharashtra G.R.dated 24-6-2013 increasing the income        limit to rs. 6 lakhs for purpose creamy layer.

The persons interested to know and fully understand the concept of creamy layer may get the above documents downloaded for their study.


Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Counting past Government service of employee( who joined service after tendering resignation) for pension purposes- Decision of Supreme Court

One Mr. Madhukar had put in sevice from 21-6- 1950 to 17-7 1960 in Government of Madhya Pradesh.He resigned on 18-7-1960 and after acceptance of the resignation, he  joined the post of lecturer  In Hislop College, Nagpur on 18-7-1960. He retired from the said post. He was granted pension but while calculating the pension his service from 21-6-1950 to 17-7-1960 was not considered as qualifying service for the pension purposes on the plea that the resignation has entailed the forefeiture of past service as per Rule 46(1) of M.C.S.(pension) Rules 1982. Being aggrieved by this, M made representation contending  that his past  Government Service needs to counted in view of G.R. dated 11-3-1992 issued by Education & Employment Department of Government of Maharashtra. His representation was rejected and therefore he had filed a writ petition in High Court of Bombay, Nagpur Bench. The writ petition was dismissed on the ground that the past service was not tendered by M with prior permission.

The judgement of High court was challeged in Supreme Court in Civil appeal 4470 of 2014 which was decided by the supreme Court on 11-4-2014. The Supreme Court observed that there was no break  in service since M has joined the as lecturer in Hislop College on the very day when his resignation was accepted. Similarly his case is clearly coverd under G.R. dated 11-3-1992 and therefore his past service needs to be counted for the pension purpose. The supreme Court set aside the order of High Court   and directed the respondents State Govt. to count the period of service rendered by the appellant from 21.06.1950 to 18.07.1960 for the purpose of computation of pension and pay the consequential benefits including arrears of pension within three months from the date of this judgment. On failure, the respondents shall be liable to pay interest @ of 8% from the date of filing of the writ petition till the amount is paid.

The above mentioned judgement of the Supreme Court is available on this blog under heading " Recent and Important ". Those  interested may get  it downloaded for their study.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

What is Special Leave Petition in Supeme Court of India ?

Special leave application means an application made to the Supreme seeking permission/leave to be heard in an appeal against the verdict / order of the High Court. Usually any issue decided by State High Court is considered as final.However if the Supreme Court finds that there exists  any constitutional or legal issue , which needs to be clarified by the Supreme Court, the leave is granted and it is heard as criminal or civil appeal as the case may be. It is not a matter of right for anyone to approach Supreme Court in an appeal. It is a privilage/ concession granted by the Supreme Court after getting it convinced that there exists an important consttitutional or legal issue which needs to be interpreted and decided by the Highest court of the land and not otherwise. Special leave application means an application made to the Supreme seeking permission/leave to be heard in an appeal against the verdict / order of the High Court. Usually any issue decided by State High Court is considered as final. However if the Supreme Court finds that there exists  any constitutional or legal issue , which needs to be clarified by he Supreme Court, the leave is granted and it is heard as criminal or civil appeal as the case may be. It is not a matter of right for anyone to approach Supreme Court in an appeal. It is a privilage/ concession granted by the Supreme Court after getting it convinced that there exists an important consttitutional or legal issue which needs to be interpreted and decided by the Highest court of the land and not otherwise.

Wednesday, April 02, 2014

Action to be taken when the decision of High Court is adverse to the State and is not stayed by Hon’ble the Supreme Court of India.

The State Government in Law and judiciary department has issude a circular dated 2 nd April 2014 enumerating  as to what action should be taken by the concerned officers whenever the High Court passes an order averse or against the State Governmnet. The said circular also makes it clear that whenever the Supreme Coutr  ,in the appeal or Special Leave petition filed against the order of the High Court, does no grant the stay, it is incumbent on the part of the concerned officers/ Department  to implemnet the order of the High court and .if the order is not implemented the concerned officers/ Department may face an action  for contempt of court.

The above mentioned circular is very important and it is desirable that all the officers go through the same carefully and ensure that the instructions therein are implemented.

The said circular is available on this blog under the caption " Recent and Important".

Monday, March 31, 2014

Important G.Rs. and Circulars issued by Government in March 2014

राज्यशासनाच्या विविध विभागांनी मार्च २०१४ मध्ये निर्गमित केलेले खालील महत्वाचे शासन निर्णय व परिपत्रके या ब्लॉग वर उपलब्ध करून देण्यात आली आहेत. संबंधितांनी ती जरूर तर डाउनलोड करून घ्यावीत.

१) मा. सर्वोच्च  न्यायालयाने दिलेल्या निर्णयानुसार स्वातंत्र्य सैनिकांना निवृत्ती वेतन हे मंजुरीच्या दिनांकापासून  अनुज्ञेय करणेबाबत, सामान्य प्रशासन विभाग परिपत्रक दि.१३-३-२०१४

२) आदिवासी भागातील बाल मृत्यू टाळण्यासाठी गाभा समिती (Core Committee) गठीतरणेबाबत.सार्वजनिक आरोग्य विभाग शासन निर्णय दि. १४-०३-२०१४


३) मराठी भाषा भवन बाांधण्यासाठी फोर्ट महसूल विभागातील भूकर क्र.1469 ही रंगभवनाची जागा मराठी भाषा विभागास हस्तांतरित  करण्याबाबत, महसूल व वन विभाग शासन शुध्दिपत्रक,दि.१५-३-२०१४


४) राज्यातील सर्व चित्रपटगृह चालकांनी  ऑन लाईन तिकीट विक्री यंत्रणा  उपलब्ध करुन देणेबाबत. महसूल व वन विभाग शासन परिपत्रक, दि. १८-०३-२०१४


५) राजीव गांधी  प्रशासकीय गतिमानता (प्रगती)  अभियान व स्पर्धा: २०१३ या वर्षाकरिता राज्यस्तरावरील विजेत्या कार्यालयांना  पारितोषकाची रक्कम मंजूर करणे बाबत ,सामान्य प्रशासन विभाग,शासन निर्णय दि. २८-०३-२०१४


६) लोकसभा / विधानसभेच्या सार्वत्रिक /पोट/ निवडणुकीच्या वेळी मतदान / मतमोजणी कामासाठी नियुक्त केलेल्या अधिका-यांना /कर्मचा-यांना देण्यात येणा-या निवडणूक भत्त्याबाबत, सामान्य प्रशासन विभाग

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1979 as modified up to 1-3-2014

An amendment has recently been made to Rule 3 of Maharashtra Civil Service (conduct) Rules 1979, vide GAD notification         dated 24 th Feb 2014. Therfore all the amendments made upto 24 th Feb. 2014 have been incorporatd  and the updated Coduct Rules have been made available on this blog. 

The State Government had published English version of M.C.S. (conduct) Rules 1979 long back. Therfore  the said Rules modified up-to 1-3-2014 will be of help to Government employees.All concerned are therefore advised to get these Rules downloaded for their use. 

Sunday, March 09, 2014

सेवानिवृत्तीनंतर शिस्तभंगविषयक कार्यवाही व निवृत्तिवेतनात कपात करणे

शासकीय कर्मचा-याच्या सेवानिवृत्त्तीनंतर  त्याच्याविरुध्द सेवेत असतानाच्या  गंभीर स्वरूपाच्या गैरवर्तणूकी बद्दल शिस्तभंग विषयक कार्यवाही करून त्याचे निवृत्तीवेतन (संपूर्ण अथवा काही भाग) काही काळाकरिता अथवा कायमचे काढून टाकण्याचे किंवा काही काळाकरिता रोखण्याचे आणि निवृत्तीवेतनाच्या रकमेतून वसुली  करण्याचे अधिकार शासनास महाराष्ट्र नागरी सेवा (निवृत्तीवेतन) नियम १९८२ च्या नियम २७ मधील तरतुदीनुसार आहेत. मात्र अशी कार्यवाही करताना सदर नियमाच्या उपनियम २(ब)  मध्ये नमूद केलेल्या अटींचे पालन करणे  बंधनकारक आहे. यातील एक महत्वाची  अट अशी आहे की अशा  कार्यवाही साठी शासनाच्या मान्यतेची आवश्यकता आहे.मात्र शासनाच्या वित्त विभागाने २ जून २००३ च्या शासन निर्णयांअन्वये  सदर अधिकार नियुक्ती अधिका-यांना दिले आहेत. सदर शासन निर्णयांअन्वये शासनाने विविध सेवा नियमातील अधिकारांचे प्रत्यायोजन केले आहे. 

सदर शासन निर्णय या ब्लॉगवर " Recent and Important " या शीर्षकाखालील यादीत अनुक्रमांक ५ वर  उपलब्ध केलेला आहे.हा शासन निर्णय अत्यंत महत्वाचा आहे. तो संबधीतानी डाउनलोड करून घेणे हितावह ठरेल. 

Monday, March 03, 2014

Compendium- of Best Practices on R.T.I.

The Government of India have recently published a "Compendium of Best practices on  R.T.I.( Volume I ) ". This compendium is a compilation of best practices adopted by public authorities like Pimpri Chinchvad Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra , which has resulted greater transparancy and accountability in their functioning . This has enabled them to ensure effective implementation of R.T.I Act as well.  

The other public authorities may like to get the details of the Best practices  enumerated in the compendium and take intiative to introduce similar practices to ensure better transaprancy and accountability in their functioning.

The said compendium is therfore made available on this blog and  the same can be got downloaded, if necessary.

Saturday, March 01, 2014

अनुकंपा नियुक्तीसाठीच्या पदांच्या मर्यादेत वाढ

सामान्य प्रशासन विभागाच्या , दिनांक २२-८-२००५ च्या शासन निर्णया नुसार अनुकंपा नियुक्तीसाठी गट "क" व गट "ड" मध्ये प्रतिवर्षी रिक्त होणा-या  पदांच्या ५% टक्के पदांची मर्यादा  विहित करण्यात आली आहे.. या मर्यादेमुळे,  अनुकंपाधारकांना प्रत्यक्ष नियुक्ती मिळण्यासाठी प्रदीर्घ काळ प्रतीक्षा करावी लागते. ही गोष्ट लक्षात घेऊन ,अनुकंपा नियुक्तीसाठी असलेल्या ५% टक्के मर्यादेत वाढ करून अनुकंपा नियुक्तीसाठी प्रतिवर्षी रिक्त  होणा-या  गट "क" "गट "ड" च्या पदांच्या १० टक्के मर्यादा करण्याचा शासनाने निर्णय घेतला आहे.  सामान्य प्रशासन विभागाने याबाबतचा शासन निर्णय  नुकत्ताच म्हणजे १ मार्च रोजी निर्गमित केला आहे. 

सदर शासन निर्णय या ब्लॉगवर " Recent & Important " या शीर्षकाखालील यादीत उपलब्ध करून देण्यात आला आहे, जरूर तर तो डाउनलोड करून घेता येईल.


Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Amendment to M.C.S.(conduct) Rules 1979

Government of Maharashtra in G.A.D. has issued a notification dated 24 th Feb 2014 amending Rule 3 of M.C.S.(Conduct ) Rules 1979. By the said amendment the following explanation as been added in existing sub- rule (1) of Rule 3,

“Explanation :- A Government servant who habitually fails to perform,the task assigned to him within the time set for the purpose and with the quality of performance expected of him shall be deemed to be lacking in devotion to duty within the meaning of clause (ii) of sub-rule (1).”

Similarly by the said amendment , the following sub Rule(3) has been substituted for the existing sub- rule (3) :

(3) (i) No Government servant shall, in the performance of his official duties, or in the exercise of powers      conferred on him, act otherwise than in his own best judgment to be true and correct except when he is  acting under the direction of his official superior;

(ii) The direction of the official superior shall ordinarily be in writing. Oral direction to subordinates shall be avoided, as far as possible. Where the issue of oral direction becomes unavoidable, the official superior shall confirm it in writing immediately thereafter;

(iii) A Government servant who has received oral direction from his official superior shall seek confirmation of the same in writing as early as possible and in such case, it shall be the duty of the official superior to confirm the direction in writing.”

The above mentioned notification (amendment ) is available on this blog in the list under caption, "RECENT &IMPORTANT". The same can be downloaded, if required.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Booklet titled "वित्तीय अधिकार नियम पुस्तिका "

The Finanace Department has prepared a booklet titled " वित्तीय अधिकार नियम पुस्तिका १९७९ " and has  published the same in 2009. The said booklet lists out various  powers given to Administrative Departents, Head of the Department, Regional Heads, Head of office under Bombay finanacial rules 1959, Maharashtra Contingent Expenditure Rules 1965, Miscellaneous items of expenditure, Maharashtra Budget manual . Maharashtra Public Works Manual etc. 

The said booklet is very useful and helpful  since it enables  the officers to know what are  the specific powers delegated to them for incurring expenditure on various items of expenditure. The said booklet is available on this blog, in the list under caption of "Recent & Important ".

 All concerned are therefore advised to get  this booklet downloaded  for their office use.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Recovery of wrongful/excess payments to Government servants

The departmental authorities are always faced with the difficulty as to whether the excess payments made to the employees can be recovered or not.The Governemnt of India considering recent judgements of the Supreme Court have recently issued office Memorandum dated 6 th Feb 2014 providing detailed instructions as to what action should be taken to recover wrongful or excess payments made to Government Servants. The said O.M. is reproduced below,


           Recovery of wrongful/excess payments made to Government servants – Dopt Orders

F.No.18/26/2011-Estt (Pay-I) 
Government of India 
Ministry of Personnel, PG and Pension 
Department of Personnel and Training
North Block, New Delhi, 
Dated the 6th February, 2014
OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Recovery of wrongful/excess payments made to Government servants.

The undersigned is directed to say that the issue of recovery of wrongful/excess payments made to Government servants has been examined in consultation with the Department of Expenditure and the Department of Legal Affairs in the light of the recent judgement of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Chandi Prasad Uniyal And On vs State Of Uttarakhand And Ors, 2012 AIR SCW 4742, (2012) 8 ‘SCC 417, decided on 17th August, 2012. The Hon’ble Court has observed as under:
15. We are not convinced that this Court in various judgments referred to herein before has laid down any proposition of law that only if the State or its officials establish that there was misrepresentation or fraud on the part of the recipients of the excess pay, then only the amount paid could be recovered. On the other hand, most of the cases referred to herein before turned on the peculiar facts and circumstances of those cases either because the recipients had retired or on the verge of retirement or were occupying lower posts in the administrative hierarchy. 
16. We are concerned with the excess payment of public money which is often described as "tax payers money" which belongs neither to the officers who have effected over-payment nor that of the recipients. We fail to see why the concept of fraud or misrepresentation is being brought in such situations. Question to be asked is whether excess money has been paid or not may be due to a bona fide mistake. Possibly, effecting excess payment of public money by Government officers may be due to various reasons like negligence, carelessness, collusion, favouritism etc. because money in such situation does not belong to the payer or the payee. Situations may also arise where both the payer and the payee are at fault, then the mistake is mutual. Payments are being effected in many situations without any authority of law and payments have been receiyed by the recipients also without any authority of law. Any amount paid/received without authority of law can always be recovered barring few exceptions of extreme hardships but not as a matter of right, in such situations law implies an obligation on the payee to repay the money, otherwise it would amount to unjust enrichment.
2. Hon’ble Supreme Court also distinguished the cases like Shyam Babu Verma v UOI, 1994 SCR (1) 700, 1994 SCC (2) 52, Syed Abdul Qadir and Ors. v. State of Bihar and Ors,(2009) 3 SCC 475, Sahib Ram v. State of Haryana,1995 Supp (1) SCC 18 etc., where it had not allowed recovery of excess payment in view of the peculiar facts and circumstances of those cases so as to avoid extreme hardship to the concerned employees, for example, where the employees concerned were mostly junior employees, or they had retired or were on verge of retirement, the employees were not at fault, and recovery which was ordered after a gap of many years would have caused extreme hardship.

3. In view of the law declared by Courts and recently reiterated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the above cited case, Chandi Prasad Uniyal And Ors vs State Of Uttarakhand And Ors, 2012 AIR SCW 4742, (2012) 8 SCC 417, the Ministries/Departments are advised to deal with the issue of wrongful/excess payments as follows:

i. In all cases where the excess payments on account of wrong pay fixation, grant of scale without due approvals, promotions without following the procedure, or in excess of entitlements etc come to notice, immediate corrective action must be taken.

ii. In a case like this where the authorities decide to rectify an incorrect order, a show-cause notice may be issued to the concerned employee informing him of the decision to rectify the order which has resulted in the overpayment, and intention to recover such excess payments. Reasons for the decision should be clearly conveyed to enable the employee to represent against the same. Speaking orders may thereafter be passed after consideration of the representations, if any, made by the employee.

iii. Whenever any excess payment has been made on account of fraud, misrepresentation, collusion, favouritism, negligence or, carelessness, etc., roles of those responsible for over payments in such cases, and the employees who benefited from such actions should be identified, and departmental/criminal action should be considered in appropriate cases.
iv. Recovery should be made in all cases of overpayment barring few exceptions of extreme hardships. No waiver of recovery may be allowed without the approval of Department of Expenditure.

v. While ordering recovery, all the circumstances of the case should be taken into account. In appropriate cases, the concerned employee may be allowed to refund the money in suitable instalments with the approval of Secretary in the Ministry, in consultation with the FA.

vi. Wherever the relevant rules provide for payment of interest on amounts retained by the employee beyond the stipulated period etc as in the case of TA, interest would continue to be recovered from the employee as heretofore.

sd/- 
(Mukesh Chaturvedi) 
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Source: www.persmin.gov.in 

Sunday, February 09, 2014

Dismissed employee & continuance of other disciplinary proceedings

The issue as regards continuaunce of other disciplinary proceedings against a dismissed employee was recently considered by the Supreme Court in the Civil Appeal filed by the State Governemnt of Maharashtra  and decided on 29-1-2014, against the order passed by the High court restraining the State Government to continue the disciplinary proceedings against an I.A.S. officer who was already dismissed as a result of  disciplinary proceedings.The order of dismssal has been challenged by the emplyee in C.A.T.
The Supreme Court held that since the employee has already been dismissed, the employer & employee relationship has come to an end and therefore the second departmental proceedings cannot be continued. The Court however  observed that in case the order of dismissal  is set aside by the Tribunal or High Court, the employer- employee relation will get restored  and it will be permissible for the State Government to proceed with the second disciplinary  proceedings.. However the Court did not modify the order of the High Court , considering the fact that the charge sheet in the second disciplinary proceedings is 25 years old and the reopening of the proceedings will not serve any purpose.

The lesson to learn from the said judgement is, as under :
" The disciplinary proceedings cannot be continued against a dismissed employee and therefore be kept in abeyance. If the order of dismissal is set aside, the relationship of employer- employee gets restored and the disciplinary proceedings  be revived and finalized as per law."

The above said judement is available on this blog at S.No.25  in the list under the title " Disciplinary Proceedings- Important judgemnts"  Those interested can get it downloaded.

Monday, February 03, 2014

Promotion during pendency of departmental / criminal proceedings

The authorities are always faced with a question whether an employee against whom departmental / criminal proceedings are pending but  who is found to be fit for promotion  by the Departmental promotion committee, should be given Adhoc promotion or not. The State Government in G.A.D.  has issued a circular (English) dated 2-4-1976 on the subject of "Promotion- Procedure to be followed in the cases of presons whose conduct is under investigation or against whom departmental inquiries are pending. The Government has also issued G.R. dated 22-4-1996 stating as to how such  promotions given are to be regulated.( Both the Circular and the G.R. is available on this blog) Apart from this circular and the G.R. no guidelines appear to have been issued by the Government. It is therfore observed that the Adhoc promotions are given inspite of the fact that there is a departmental or Criminal proceedigs  is pending against the employee for the  serious charges leveled agaist him.Similarly it may be possible that because of absence of  clear guidelines adhoc promotion might not be given in deserving cases.

2. In case of Central Government employees, the D.P.C.considers the case of employee  for promotion on the basis of his C.Rs., even if departmental/Criminal proceedings are pending against him but the decision as regards his fitness for promotion is kept in a sealed cover. This procedure is known as Sealed Cover procedure. This procedure is not followed in State Government.

3. In case of central Government employees, if the departmental inquiry / criminal investigation is not completed in 2 years, the adhoc promotion is given considering following factors,

    1. Whether the promotion will be against public interest ?
   
    2.  Whether the charges are grave enough to warrant continued           denial of promotion ?

    3.  Whether there is no likelyhood of the case coming to a                  conclusion in near future ?

    4.   Whether the delay in finalization of criminal / departmental             proceedings is not directly or  indirectly attributable to the             employee concerned ?

    5,   Whether there is any likelyhood of misuse of official                     position, which may adversely affect the conduct of                       departmental / criminal proceedings ?

4    In case of State Government employees also, it will be                 appropriate that the above mentioned factors   are considerd           while  considering adhoc promotion to employees against whom     the departmental /  criminal proceedings are pending.If this is         done ,the adhoc promotion will  be given to the deserving               employees.

5.  The Supreme Court has considered the issue in question in its       Land mark judgement in case of  Union  of India v/s                      K.V.Jankiraman, 1991 AIR 2010. The said judgment is available    on this blig at  serial  number 24 in the list of "Important                Judgements" under heading of " Disciplinary Proceedings -            Judgements ". It is suggested the officers and other employees      may get the same downloaded for  their study. The court has          held  that the sealed cover procedure is to be adopted only if the    regular  charge sheet is issued .and not in the cases where  only      preliminary investigations are under way. 
     

Monday, January 27, 2014

Brochure of Reservation

The Government of India has recently brought out a Brochure on Reservation. The said brochure brings out the Constitutional and legal provisions in regard to Reservation.It also describes in details as to how the scheme of Reservation was evolved and also the Institutional safeguards and impact of  Reservation Policy. It would be of great help to Government servants if they go through the said brochure  so that  they understand all the issues connected with Reservation.

The above said Brochure is mad avilable on this blog. Those interested can get it downloaded.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Disciplinary Proceedings & Natural Justice

Natural Justice is not defined anywhere. Justice Krishna Iyer has defined Natural Justice in case of Deaprtmental Inquiry as ," Vocate, Interogate and then adjudicate.It is cardinal principle of Law that no person can be held to be guilty unless chrages are informed to him and he is given reasonable  opportunity to defend himself. The  said principle finds a place in Article 311 of the Consttution. The Courts and the Tribunals interfere in case there is violation of principles of Natural Justice while conducting a departmental Inquiry and the imposing penalty on the basis of findings of the Inquiry officer.

Non supply of relevant documents, Not allowing the assistance of Defence Assistant, no opportunity to cross the witnesses of  disciplinary authority, not allowing the employee to examnine the witnesses are obvious examples of Violation of principles of Natural justice. However non observance every aspect procedure prescribed does not amount to  violation of principles of natural justice. In case of procdural violation , the employee has to show what prejudice is caused to him because of non obsevance of procdure by the inquiry and disciplinary authority. It depends upon the facts and circumstances in each case.

The Superme Court in well known case of  State Bank of Patiala v/s  S. K. Sharma , AIR 1996 SC 1669 has  explained in detail  the concept of natural Justice vis-a vis Disciplinary Inquiry. The said judgement is available on this blog at S.N. 1 in the list of judgments, under " Disciplinary Proceedings - Judgements ". It is suggested the senior officers who are the disciplinary authorities, the Inquiry Officers and the advocates dealing with the cases of disciplinary proceedings may get the said judgement downloaded for their study and use. 

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Promotion a fundamnetal right - Suprme Court

The supreme Court in it's recent judgement in case of Major General H.M.Singh v/s Union of India deilivered on 9 th January 2014 has held that the non-consideration of the claim of the employee/ appellant eligible and found fit for promotion would violate the fundamental rights vested in him under Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India. subject to the condition, that the employers / respondents were desirous of filling the vacancy of the promotional post .

The above said judgement is available on this blog under the Title of " Disciplinary Proceedings- Judgements- Important judgments. Those desirous can get it downloaded.

Wednesday, January 08, 2014

Recovery of cooperative dues from pension- Is it legal ?

A State government office in Maharashtra had frozen the Pensioner's bank account since  there were cooperative societies dues to be recovered from the said pensioner. A query was made to me whether recovery of Cooperative dues can be made from the amount of pension and for that purpose the pensioner's bank account can be frozen. A reply to the said query is  as under,

" In accordance with M.C.S.(Pension) Rules 1982  Government dues as ascertained and assessed by the Head of the office which remain outstanding till the date of retirement of the Government Servant shall be adjusted against the amount of retirement gratuity or death gratuity becoming payable.Cooperative societies dues are not Government dues and therefore they cannot be recovered from the amount of pension. 

The Supreme court in well known case of  " Union of India v/s Wing Commander R.R.Hingorani, (1987) 1 SCC 551" has held that pension shall not be liable to seizure or attachment by process of any court at the instance of a creditor.

The pension is meant for the livelihood of retired employee and his family. 

In view of the above facts it is clear that the action of freezing the pensioner's bank account for the purpose of recovery of Cooperative dues is illegal and the order of freezing the bank account needs to be withdrawn."

The viewers of this blog may like to note the above legal position and deal the similar matters accordingly.The judgement in case of Union Of India v/s Wing commander R.R.Hingorani is also available on this blog under title " Disciplinary Proceedings- important judgements. Those interested can get it downloaded, if necessary



Thursday, January 02, 2014

Dismissal of Govt. employee due to conviction-Appeal against conviction- sentence stayed- is he entitled for pensionary benefits ?

Talathi was convicted for a criminal offence and sentenced for one year's imprisonment. He was dismissed due to the said conviction. He files an appeal in the High Court against the conviction. The High court grants stay to his conviction and releases him on bail.In view of the said stay , Talathi applies for grant of pensionary benefits viz.Pension & Gratuity. The query is made to me as to whether the demand for grant of pensionary benefits can be granted. I gave the following reply,

" Talathi was dismissed on account of his conviction by the court. It is true that the High Court has granted the stay to the sentence awarded by the lower court but his conviction is not set aside.He is therefore guilty in the eyes of law.Therefore his dismissal is  still valid .

The service of an employee who is dismissed from service, stands forfeited as provided in Rule 45 of M.C.S.(Pension) Rules 1982 and thefore the said Talathi  is not entitled for pensionary benefits viz. Pension and Gratuity.

A dismissed employee is entitled for refund of  Group Insurance Scheme and Government Providend Fund amount since he has contributed the said amounts. However he will not be entitled for leave encashment. "

The viewers may please note the above reply so that they will be able to take appropriate decision while dealing with the similar cases  their offices.