Inordinate delay in concluding departmental Inquiries under EPF Staff(CCA) Rules. 1971
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation
(Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India)
Head Office(UG Floor), HUDCO Vishala, BhikaijiCama Place, New Delhi – 110066
THROUGH WEB CIRCULATION
Vig/Coord/CVC-Correspondence/Part-File/2020
Date: 20 JAN 2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: – Inordinate delay in concluding departmental Inquiries under EPF Staff(CCA) Rules. 1971 – reg.
The model time limit for disciplinary cases prescribed by the DoPT/CVC envisages the inquiry report in departmental inquiries to be submitted within six months from the date of appointment of Inquiry Officer, with additional time of one month in unforeseen circumstances for which specific permission is required to be sought in writing by the Inquiry Officer from the Disciplinary Authority. The importance of adhering to the model time limit has time and again been reiterated by the CVC and most recently through circular no. 20/12/2020 dated 30/12/2020. The model time limit has also been enshrined in Rule 14(24)a) of CCS (CCA) Rules. 1965.
On reviewing the pendency of departmental inquiries it is observed the model time limit is not adhered to in most cases. CVC during review of the pending cases has expressed concern over the inordinate delay on the part of Inquiry Officers and directed to ensure that all pending inquiries are liquidated immediately in mission mode.
All Zonal ACCs are directed to instruct the Inquiry Officers posted in their jurisdiction to take urgent steps for completion of the inquiries assigned by conducting day to day hearing and to submit report in all pending cases within the prescribed time frame. They shall review the progress of the pending inquiries and monitor the performance of the Inquiry Officers. It shall also be seen that Inquiry Officers are also adequately facilitated enabling them to conduct the Inquiries without administrative impediments. Further all Inquiry Officers are directed to submit inquiry reports in the pending cases above six months within one month positively. Inquiry Officers shall also take note that non-compliance of the model time limit and delay in concluding the pending inquiries shall attract administrative actions against them. .
Sd/-
(SUNIL BARTHWAL)
CENTRAL P F COMMISSIONER
To
All Addl CPFCs(HQ)/Addl CPEFCs in charge of Zones
All Inquiry Officers
Source: https://www.epfindia.gov.in/site_docs/PDFs/Circulars/Y2020-2021/Vig_DepartmentInquiry_189.pdf
COMMENTS