New Delhi, August 9
In the backdrop of controversial suspension of Durga Sakthi Nagpal, the Centre is considering amending rules to ensure that an IAS officer is not suspended or transferred due to vested interest.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which acts as the nodal body for administrative matters related to IAS, may revisit rules that outline the procedure for disciplinary action against an officer of the service.

“We are considering to make changes to the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, to ensure that an officer of such services is not suspended due to political vendetta or any other vested interest. The move is aimed at ensuring hassle-free working of the officers,” a senior DoPT official said. He said no decision had been taken as of now on how to go about it. If changes in rules are made applicable, these will also have bearing on the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Indian Forest Service (IFoS).

“The Centre will seek opinions from cadre-controlling authorities like the Ministry of Home Affairs (for IPS) and the Ministry of Environment and Forests (for IFoS) before going ahead with the change in rules. The matter is under discussion within the DoPT,” the official said.

The move comes in the backdrop of suspension of Nagpal, a 2010 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre who had taken on the sand mining mafia in Gautam Budh Nagar district of the state. — PTI