Jaipur: The Rajasthan government has taken strict disciplinary action against 33 serving and retired officers over alleged corruption, collusion with the illegal sand-mining mafia, financial irregularities and dereliction of duty, officials said on Wednesday. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has reiterated the state government's commitment to good governance, transparency and accountability under its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.
Source: IANS via Hi India
Following the resolution of 30 disciplinary cases involving major penalties, the government approved the withholding of two to four annual salary increments for 17 serving state government officers. Separate orders have been issued to withhold or reduce the pensions of 16 retired officials found guilty of serious misconduct.
Source: Nation Press
Mining collusion and police negligence
A significant share of the action concerns the illegal sand-mining trade. An inquiry found that a then Circle Officer had colluded with individuals linked to illegal sand mining and criminal activities, allegedly receiving undue benefits; the government approved withholding four annual salary increments, with cumulative effect. In another criminal case, a then Circle Inspector, an Assistant Sub-Inspector and a constable were penalised for negligence in conducting a proper investigation.
Source: IANS via Hi India
Retirement is no shield
The harshest penalty fell on a retired Rajasthan Accounts Service officer found guilty of manipulating government records to provide undue benefits to a private company — 100 per cent of the pension has been permanently withheld. Two retired Rajasthan Administrative Service officers who improperly classified residential and commercial plots as agricultural land have had 20 per cent of their pensions withheld for five years, while a former Block Development Officer and an Assistant Engineer face penalties for approving payments for work that was never performed.
Source: Nation Press
The sweep spans departments including Medical and Health, Social Justice, Mines, College Education, Labour, Horticulture and the Secretariat. A doctor penalised over the incorrect issuance of blood had two annual increments withheld, and three medical officers were disciplined for extended unauthorised absence. The government also recorded that eight officials received relief after detailed investigations found insufficient grounds to sustain the charges against them, citing Rule 16 of the Rajasthan Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1958.
Source: Nation Press