(a) the number of officers of the Food Corporation of India suspended during the period from the year 2016 to June 2019;
(b) whether more than half of such suspended officers have been taken back into service and if so, the reasons for taking such suspended officers back into service;
(c) whether such an action on the part of the Government is not encouraging corruption and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(d) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI RAMVILAS PASWAN)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO.*240 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 09.07.2019 IN THE LOK SABHA
(a) to (d): A total of 42 Number of officers were suspended on Vigilance/Administrative grounds during the period 2016 to June 2019:
Year Officers
2016 10
2017 20
2018 9
2019 3
Grand Total 42
Out of 42 cases, 32 suspended officers have been taken back into service as per Section 10 of Central Civil Services (Clarification, Control & Appeals) Rules, 1965. The order of suspension is reviewed by the authority competent to modify or revoke the suspension, before expiry of ninety days from the effective date of suspension, on the recommendation of the Review Committee constituted for the purpose. An order of suspension is not valid after a period of ninety days unless it is extended after review, for a further period before the expiry of ninety days. Subsequent reviews are required to be made before the expiry of the extended period of suspension. Extension of suspension cannot be for a period exceeding one hundred and eighty days at a time.
Out of 42 cases, 7 Officers have been dismissed from Service against whom charges are established and 09 officers have been charge-sheeted. Since, suspension is not a penalty, it has to be resorted to sparingly and only with a view to facilitating the enquiry pending against the officers concerned.
FCI follows the rules/guidelines issued by DoP&T, CVC and FCI Staff Regulations, 1971 strictly in regard to disciplinary proceedings against officers/officials.
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