Pending disciplinary matters to be submitted by October 15; J&K told to expedite APARs for IAS and IPS induction proposals
NEW DELHI, OCT 5: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a series of directions aimed at strengthening monitoring, disciplinary oversight and cadre management of officers belonging to the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre.
Under the fresh directions, all AGMUT segments have been asked to communicate within 48 hours any FIR, arrest, adverse court order or action initiated by an investigating agency against officers belonging to the IAS, IPS, DANICS and DANIPS cadres.
The instructions cover proceedings involving agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
The move comes amid a review of the reporting and monitoring mechanisms concerning disciplinary and investigative proceedings involving cadre officers. The directions seek to ensure that important developments concerning officers are communicated to the competent authorities without delay.
MHA SEEKS DETAILS OF PENDING DISCIPLINARY CASES BY OCTOBER 15
The Ministry has also directed AGMUT segments to submit comprehensive details of all pending disciplinary cases by October 15, along with the documents required for examination of each matter.
The cases are required to clearly indicate whether proceedings are at the pre-charge-sheet or post-charge-sheet stage.
Departments have been asked to ensure that disciplinary proposals contain a statement of facts, chronology of events, authenticated supporting documents, witness details, draft charge-sheet and a specific recommendation regarding the proposed penalty.
The proposals are also required to explain the reasons for initiating disciplinary proceedings.
The MHA has further directed that where incomplete proposals are returned, the concerned authorities must submit revised and complete cases within 15 days.
PROLONGED LEAVE CASES TO FACE DETAILED REVIEW
The Ministry has separately instructed AGMUT segments to undertake closer scrutiny of cases involving officers who remain on prolonged leave.
Authorities have been asked to verify leave accounts, the nature and duration of leave, extensions granted and the officer’s reported place of stay.
The MHA has also stressed that salary should be released only for periods covered by duly sanctioned leave. Any excess payment identified during scrutiny is to be recovered in accordance with applicable rules.
Ladakh, Puducherry, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Arunachal Pradesh have been specifically asked to examine leave records and initiate recovery wherever excess payments are found.
Cases involving prolonged unexplained absence or failure to resume duty despite repeated directions may also be dealt with under the applicable service rules.
J&K DIRECTED TO COMPLETE APARs FOR PENDING IAS, IPS INDUCTION CASES
Specific instructions have also been issued to Jammu and Kashmir regarding pending proposals for induction into the IAS and IPS.
The J&K administration has been asked to complete the collection of Annual Performance Assessment Reports (APARs) and prepare all required statements and supporting documents for pending induction proposals.
The exercise has been directed to proceed without waiting for the Centre to finalise vacancies, so that the proposals remain ready for immediate submission to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) once the vacancies are determined.
The direction is intended to avoid delays in processing induction-related cases and ensure that the necessary documentation is completed in advance.
FOCUS ON DIRECT RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING
The MHA has also directed AGMUT segments to maintain continuous and expeditious direct recruitment in the entry grades of the respective civil and police services.
The segments have been asked to address existing recruitment backlogs and ensure that recruitment processes do not remain pending unnecessarily.
On mandatory training, the Ministry has reportedly directed that exemptions should be allowed only in genuinely exceptional circumstances.
Each AGMUT segment has also been asked to establish an internal mechanism to track training requirements of officers. Officers approaching eligibility for promotion are to be relieved for mandatory training on priority.
DIRECTIONS AIMED AT STRENGTHENING CADRE MANAGEMENT
The AGMUT cadre covers Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and the Union Territories, and includes officers belonging to the IAS, IPS, DANICS and DANIPS services.
The latest directions place emphasis on timely reporting of investigative and legal developments, disposal of disciplinary matters, scrutiny of prolonged leave, completion of induction-related documentation, recruitment and mandatory training.
The measures are aimed at improving coordination between the Centre and AGMUT segments and ensuring that service, disciplinary and cadre-management matters involving officers are processed within prescribed timelines.(KNC)
