Ahmedabad, 24 April, 2012

Many times you visit a government office and find the employee not working honestly. You think ‘can’t the govt do something against this corrupt, lazy govt employee/official?’

Well, in the worst case, the govt can give a charge-sheet or can suspend the official. But then what is called suspension?

Suspension is a period during which a departmental inquiry takes place, but the person suspended continues to enjoy 50% salary sitting at home. And if the suspension period goes beyond six months, the govt has to pay 75% salary!

So in an ideal case, the departmental inquiry should be completed within the first six-months. But does this happen?

Take the case of Navnit Baleva. He was chief city planner caught red-handed while receiving Rs 2 lakh bribe installment from a pair of builder brothers. Baleva had demanded Rs 10 lakh bribe money to give clearance to newly constructed society scheme. In May 2009 he was suspended and criminal case was filed against him. But due to ongoing case in court, departmental inquiry has not been completed, and he is enjoying 75% salary.

Badruddin Sheikh, leader of opposition (LoP) in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has written a letter to Municipal Commissioner demanding review of pace of departmental inquiry on suspended officials, and fix time limit for completion of inquiry.

Sheikh in his letter said that as per the rule, AMC pays 50% salary to suspended employee in first six month period of suspension and 75% salary beyond six months of suspension.

Sheikh pointed out that there are many cases today where suspension period has jumped beyond six month period. In such cases suspended employees get 75% pay sitting at home. Such suspended employees also start any other commercial activity for more income. Such cases should be reviewed and a time limit for inquiry should be fixed, the leader of opposition demanded.

Sheikh in his letter listed out some of such suspended employees; Rakesh Milishia, Pankaj Rathod, Pankaj Shah, Ashok Kabira, Navnit Balewa, Jayantilal Maru, Mansukh Vaghela and Natha Vaghela. All of them enjoy 75% salary sitting at home, as their suspension period is more than six months.In some cases inquiry is pending because of pending status of case in the criminal courts. Some cases are pending because level of punishment is not decided.

Sheikh in his letter said that, in last 8 years, no IPS officer has been appointed as Vigilance Officer. Many more positions are vacant in vigilance department.

It should be mentioned that in various cases of corruption, irregularity, illegal construction, offending behavior or leave without permission, the AMC first gives charge sheet to concerned employee, and in some cases also gives suspension order if the case is serious enough. Departments like estate, TDO, tax, engineering and health departments witness most of the cases of suspension.

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