Padma Jaiswal, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 2003 batch, said she was not aware of any dismissal order against her being passed by the Center as claimed in reports.
Jaiswal, who is special secretary in the Delhi government’s Administrative Reforms Department, has been sacked in a rare case of major action against a serving government employee, The Indian Express reported on Thursday citing sources.
HT was unable to independently verify the report.
When contacted, Jaiswal said, “I am not aware of any such development or any dismissal order being issued,” according to the Indian Express.
Who is padma jaiswal and what is the matter
The action against Jaiswal, an officer of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre, is said to stem from allegations dating back to 2007-08 when Jaiswal was serving as deputy commissioner of West Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh.
A complaint filed by local residents in February 2008 accused her of embezzling government revenues and abusing an official position, the report said, adding that she was placed under suspension in April of that year.
In October 2010, her suspension was lifted, according to the report.
Official sources cited in the report said that her removal order was issued earlier this week with the final approval of the President of India on the recommendation of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which is headed by the Prime Minister.
Such decisions regarding AGMUT cadre officials fall within the scope of the DoPT.
According to the report, the Home Ministry has initiated disciplinary proceedings under Rule 8 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules. Rule 8 sets out procedures for imposing significant penalties on administrative staff (IAS/IPS/IFoS).
Jaiswal’s chargesheets were reported in 2009 and 2010 – a formal document for initiating disciplinary proceedings. The Central Vigilance Commission and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) were consulted on the same, and the latter eventually recommended her removal from service.
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) had earlier quashed the proceedings initiated against Jaiswal, since the Home Ministry did not have jurisdiction over AGMUT cadre officers, the report said.
The central government challenged the CAT order before the Delhi High Court, which on April 1 this year delivered a ruling in favor of the Centre.
Jaiswal was among 72 senior officers who participated in a bureaucratic reshuffle in February this year when the Delhi government changed or appointed additional responsibilities.
Padma Jaiswal, who was waiting for the post, has been given the charge of Special Secretary for Administrative Reforms.
