State govt. takes note of ‘prolonged delay’ affecting files related to disciplinary action cases, moots monitoring mechanism

The State government has pulled up government departments for sitting on files related to disciplinary action against government employees.

The Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department (P&ARD) has issued a set of instructions to government departments and institutions which require them to furnish details of pending cases related to disciplinary action and introduce effective mechanisms for monitoring the progress on such cases.

P&ARD wanted departments to avoid delays on disciplinary actions as delays in such instances tend to “breed further indiscipline” and affect the general morale. Taking note of the “prolonged delays” affecting the movement of files related to disciplinary actions, in an August 25 circular, observed that delays tend to create the impression that delinquent officers always go unpunished, a situation that would demoralise honest members of the staff.

“If actions are not taken on time, the purpose of disciplinary action will be defeated and it breeds further indiscipline in the Institution/Organisation/Department,” the August 25 circular said.

As part of putting in place a Disciplinary Action Monitoring System, the P&ARD has recommended that monthly meetings be held to review the progress on pending cases. Towards this, it has sought information on the status of the cases, reasons for the delay in taking action, the extent of the delay and the disciplinary authority.

Administrative departments have been asked to direct all heads of departments and institutions to furnish details of pending cases before the fifth of every month.

Within a week of receiving the reports, the administrative departments are required to transfer them to the government secretaries concerned.

According to the circular, these reports should contain information on the number of disciplinary action cases in each department, categorisation of the cases based on the gravity of offence, as well as sexual harassment cases and cases falling under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

The Kerala Civil Service (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1960, lays out the procedures for initiating disciplinary action against government servants.