Govt. tightens norms to crack the whip on corrupt officials 

Dennis S. Jesudasan 

CHENNAI, September 27, 2019 00:00 IST 

The options available with the disciplinary authorities to deal with such cases have been narrowed down

If a government servant is found possessing assets disproportionate to his/her known sources of income, or is found accepting a bribe, it is now almost certain that he/she will either be removed or dismissed from service. The State government recently amended the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules to this effect.

Earlier, government servants found to be corrupt or to have received a bribe could face a penalty or be placed under suspension or sent on compulsory retirement, as decided by the disciplinary authority, as these were the other options available besides removal or dismissal from service.

"Earlier, the disciplinary authority could choose not to remove or dismiss the corrupt employee from service. Now, the options have been narrowed down," official sources explained.

However, in exceptional cases, a penalty could be imposed.

Through an amendment by the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department, notified recently, the Tamil Nadu government has made changes to the existing rules, in line with the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Exceptional cases

Explaining the grounds for exceptional cases, officials said that if a worker had not demanded a bribe and had only accepted it, and if it turned out to be a paltry amount, the disciplinary authority could consider this an exceptional case.

While employees who were ‘removed’ from service could apply for government jobs again, those who were ‘dismissed’ from service cannot.

The severe action of removal or dismissal from service will also apply if the charge of acceptance of any gratification (by the government servant) other than legal remuneration as a motive or reward for doing or forbearing to do any official act is proved.

Even when the charge of giving an undue advantage with an intention to induce a public servant to perform or not to perform a public duty or to reward the public servant for the performance or non-performance of a public duty is proved, the government servant will either be removed or dismissed from service.