The Manohar Lal Khattar Government in Haryana on Monday directed the bureaucrats not to issue any fresh order pertaining to promotions, transfers, tenders and disciplinary matters during the last two months of the service prior to their superannuation.
The senior officers have been instructed by the State Govt to take prior approval from the State’s Chief Secretary while issuing such orders otherwise a disciplinary action may be taken against them.
The decision in this regard was taken by the government after complaints of misuse of official position by senior officers prior to their retirement. Subsequently, an order was issued by the Chief Secretary Vijai Vardhan on Monday to all the Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Managing Directors of Boards or Corporations, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Registrars of Universities.
The order reads, “It has been observed by the government that some officers while exercising the powers of Administrative Secretary, HoD, Controlling officer during the last two months of the service prior to their superannuation have been issuing orders relating to appointments, promotions, transfers, tenders purchases and disciplinary matters etc which do not pass muster in terms of integrity, transparency, rectitude, probity and impartiality.”
“Such actions have invited complaints of financial irregularities, loss to the state exchequer, appointment of undeserving persons, nepotism, favouritism and thus tarnished the image of the government. These instances of improper conduct on the part of such officers, who were about to retire from government service, have been viewed seriously by the government,” the order stated
“Henceforth, unless specifically directed by the government, an officer exercising the powers of Administrative Secretary during the last two months prior to the date of his or her retirement, shall submit the cases to the Chief Secretary and the officers exercising the powers of Head of Dept or Controlling Authority to the next competent authority for prior approval,” it further stated.The cases for which prior approval has to be sought include processing of tenders for allotment of work or release of payments or purchases, cases pertaining to appointment, fresh recruitment of officials, regular as well as contractual (except HSSC/HPSC), promotions, transfers of officials of all categories and disciplinary actions where charges stand proved.
The order also warns of disciplinary action in case of non-compliance.
“Failure to abide by these instructions shall invite disciplinary action under the relevant Service Rules as well as penal action Rule 12 of the Haryana Civil Service (Pension) Rules, 2016 or any other applicable corresponding Rules,” the order added.