Requirement of completing/clearing a course related to procedural steps for holding Disciplinary Proceedings/ Departmental Inquiries by Inquiring Authorities (IAs)/Inquiry Officers (IOs), on iGOT Karmayogi Platform
This official memorandum, dated October 11, 2023, from the Government of India’s Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training, emphasizes the necessity of completing a course related to the procedural steps for conducting Disciplinary Proceedings and Departmental Inquiries. The objective is to streamline and expedite these proceedings while ensuring compliance with the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965. The memorandum highlights the issues caused by deviations from prescribed procedures, leading to proceedings being deemed non-compliant by Administrative Tribunals and Courts.
F. No. 11012/36/2023-PP.A-III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
(Personnel Policy — A.III Section)
202, North Block, New Delhi
Dated 11 October, 2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Requirement of completing/clearing a course related to procedural steps for holding Disciplinary Proceedings/ Departmental Inquiries by Inquiring Authorities (IAs)/Inquiry Officers (IOs), on iGOT Karmayogi Platform
Department of Personnel and Training has issued several instructions, in the past, for streamlining of conduct of Disciplinary Proceedings in order to reduce delay and to ensure expeditious disposal of Disciplinary cases. Besides, this Department has been emphasizing upon the need for conforming with the procedures prescribed in the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965 {CCS(CCA) Rules, 1965}, as amended from time to time, while handling disciplinary proceedings conducted in Ministries/Departments. It is imperative that the inquiry is conducted strictly in accordance with the procedures prescribed for this purpose. However, it has been observed that, many a time, Hon’ble Administrative Tribunals and Courts have held the proceedings, concluded by the Inquiry Officer, as non-est for not being in conformity with the laid down procedure. Moreover, in several cases, referred to this Department by the Administrative Ministries/Departments for advice, it has been noticed that Inquiring Authorities/Inquiry Officers sometimes inadvertently miss the essential steps while conducting inquiry, in most of cases, due to lack of thorough knowledge of the procedures prescribed for conducting departmental proceedings; thereby committing avoidable lapses, which result in setting aside of inquiry by the Tribunals/Courts.
2. In order to avoid such a situation and with a view to strengthening the knowledge base and skill of IAs/IOs in handling a Departmental Inquiry, it has been decided that, in future, it may be ensured that IAs/IOs are mandated to clear a course related to procedural steps for holding Disciplinary Proceedings/ Departmental Inquiries, on iGOT Platform (https://igotkarmayogi.gov.in OR iGOT Karmayogi App) One such course available on the iGOT Platform is “Conduct of Enquiry in Disciplinary Matters”.
3. All Ministries/Departments are, therefore, requested to ensure that Officers being designated as IAs/IOs complete/clear the said course on iGOT Karmayogi Platform, so as to avoid the avoidable lapses in conduct of a Departmental Inquiry.
(A K GOPAL)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Tel. +91-11-23040264
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