New Delhi (09.11.2022): Ever since the Modi government has taken over the reins of the country in 2014, the year 2021 has been proved to be the year that has seen the maximum strictest actions taken by the Union home ministry against gazetted officers (GOs). But it is during Amit Shah’s tenure as Union Home Minister since 2019, delinquent officers have been dealt with ruthlessly even over minor actions in 2021.
Reports since 2014 suggest that 10 GOs – the highest so far — faced dismissal, removal and compulsory retirements in 2021, while the number was two officers each in 2020 and 2019. However, the year 2018 had only five dismissals, removals and compulsory retirements. In 2017, no one was dismissed or compulsorily retired but only one officer was removed from the service. In previous years as well, less than four officers were punished.
The Union Home Ministry, on an average, has been taking strict action against one gazetted officer every week since 2021, which includes removal, dismissal and compulsory retirement. Andaman & Nicobar Islands Chief Secretary J Narain, suspended on charges of sexual harassment, is one of the most high-profile cases of recent times.
The annual report of the MHA says that there were 237 disciplinary cases filed between April 1 and December 31, 2021, and vigilance cases were lodged against 249 gazetted officers. It took action against 52 gazetted officers involved in 48 cases in 2021. There are cases when the Centre demoted or gave a salary cut as punishment to nearly 19 officers. Punishments are divided into minor and major. Censure and warning are for minor offences while dismissal, removal and compulsory retirement are major offences.
The government gave censure and warning as punishment to only four gazetted officers in 2021. Interestingly, no displeasure and transfer of cases was done last year. The government chose to give major punishments such as dismissal from the service and removal to several officers.
There is a vigilance set up in the Ministry of Home Affairs (Proper) to take a call on these issues headed by a Joint Secretary level officer, who acts as part-time Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of the Ministry. The annual report of the MHA says. “The Chief Vigilance Officer in the Ministry (proper) is assisted by a Director/Deputy Secretary, an Under Secretary and a Vigilance Cell comprising two Section Officers and supporting officers. There are separate Vigilance Divisions in each organisation under the administrative control of MHA. The Vigilance Cell is primarily responsible for disciplinary/vigilance activities of the MHA including the matters related to maintenance of Annual Property Returns, Annual Performance Appraisal Reports, etc. of officials posted in the Ministry."
