Govt amends public service rules further, adding appeal rights, forced retirement
The government has removed the provision on disobedience.
The government has issued a second amendment to the Public Service Ordinance, enabling public servants to appeal all forms of disciplinary action and removing the provision on disobedience.
The Law and Justice Division published the gazette of the Public Service (2nd Amendment) Ordinance late on Wednesday night (23 July).
The amendment introduces a provision for the compulsory retirement of public servants for three specific types of misconduct: disobeying lawful orders from superiors, disregarding government directives without a valid reason, obstructing their implementation, or encouraging others to do so; collective absence from work without approved leave or just cause; and obstructing colleagues from performing their duties.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
These actions are now classified as misconduct disrupting government functions.
Penalties include demotion, compulsory retirement, or dismissal. The previous version of the ordinance did not include compulsory retirement as a penalty.
Under the revised rules, once a complaint is filed, formal charges must be issued and the accused notified within seven working days. The notice will also ask whether the accused wishes to attend a personal hearing.
Regardless of the response, a probe committee must be formed within three working days. Members must be senior to the accused, and in cases involving a female official, at least one member must be a woman.
The committee must submit its report within 14 working days of formation. A one-time extension of up to seven working days may be granted for valid reasons.
Failure to submit the report on time will result in a new committee being formed. Such delays will be treated as incompetence, recorded in the official's profile, and may result in disciplinary action.
The accused must be given a copy of the probe report along with the punishment decision, and will have 30 working days to appeal. The appellate authority can uphold or overturn the decision.
However, actions taken under presidential orders cannot be appealed. In such cases, the accused may request a review within 30 working days of receiving the order.
