IAS suspension: Government may change rules

NEW DELHI: In the backdrop of controversial suspension of Durga Shakti Nagpal, the Centre is considering amending rules to ensure an IAS officer is not suspended or transferred due to vested interest.


The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)--which acts as nodal body for administrative matters related to Indian Administrative Service (IAS)--may revisit rules that outlines procedure for disciplinary action against an officer of the service.

"We are considering to make changes the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969 to ensure that an officer of such services is not suspended due to political vendetta or any other vested interest. The move is aimed at ensuring hassle-free working of the officers," a senior DoPT official said.

He said that no decision has been taken as of now on how to go about it.

If changes in rules are made applicable, they will also have bearing on two other All India Services--Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS)--besides IAS.

"The Centre will seek opinions from concerned cadre controlling authorities like Ministry of Home Affairs (for IPS) and Ministry of Environment and Forests (for IFoS) before going ahead with the change in rules. The matter is under discussion within DoPT," the official said.

The move comes in the backdrop of suspension of Nagpal, a 2010 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, who had taken o sand mining mafia active in Gautam Budh Nagar district of the state.

The 28-year-old officer was suspended ostensibly for ordering demolition of a wall of an under-construction mosque without following the due process.