Latest news with #HaryanaCivilServices(PunishmentandAppeal)Rules
The Print
36 minutes ago
- Health
- The Print
Once bitten: Enraged Haryana minister orders charge sheet against officials for termite infestation
It was an unscheduled visit to the rest house by the minister on 26 July that resulted in trouble for the officials. The minister was shocked to see its dilapidated condition and sent a letter marked 'Most Urgent' on 28 July to the Additional Chief Secretary of the PWD. Noticing termites in the wooden cupboards in his VIP room, the Haryana Minister for Public Health Engineering and Public Works (B&R) directed stern action against 'corrupt' officials —a charge sheet against two, an explanation from another, and a warning to yet another officer. Gurugram: Who would have thought termites would lead to a charge sheet? But that's exactly what has happened to officials in Haryana after Minister Ranbir Gangwa found termites in the Bahadurgarh PWD rest house during a stay. ThePrint has accessed the letter. The VIP room, meant for dignitaries, was disfigured by termites, the wooden furniture destroyed. The letter says this indicated a general failure in maintenance. The letter accuses Rajesh Tanwar, Sub Divisional Engineer (SDE) with additional charge of SDE Bahadurgarh, and Mohit Chauhan, JE, for what it calls 'carelessness, lethargy, and dereliction of their official duties'. The two have been ordered to be charge-sheeted under Rule 7 of the Haryana Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 2016, which requires a thorough inquiry prior to imposing significant penalties. The order also states that Mukesh Sharma, SDE (CDC), who joined duty on 24 July, is to be summoned for explanation, while Anil Rohilla, Executive Engineer (XEN) of PWD (B&R) Bahadurgarh, is to be given a formal warning. Minister Gangwa did not respond to calls from ThePrint. Anil Rohilla, however, told ThePrint that on the day of the visit of the minister, he was on duty to oversee the common eligibility test (CET) examination conducted by the Haryana Services Selection Commission. Rohilla, however, admitted there was a termite infestation at the rest house. 'Termites have been seen in the wooden cupboards of the rest house. It is under our observation, and we were thinking of getting an estimate made for termite treatment of the building. It will be completed shortly,' he said. Rule 7 of the Haryana Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 2016, prescribes the imposition of severe penalties if the person is found guilty of the charges after an inquiry. Though the formal charge sheet will be issued in due course by the department once a minister orders it, the minister's letter clearly charges the officials of an act 'unbecoming of a responsible officer'. A senior officer in the Haryana government explained that when a minister orders a charge sheet of an official, it mandatorily requires the authorities to prepare precise charges, furnish the accused with papers and an opportunity to present a written defence, and appoint an inquiry officer, if necessary. 'The inquiry entails questioning witnesses, permitting cross-examination, and presenting a detailed report, following which the accused is afforded another chance to reply before any penalty is decided,' he added. Once held guilty, the major penalties under Rule 7 are withholding increments, denying promotions, lowering pay or grade, compulsory retirement, removal, or dismissal from service. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Haryana ministers seek power to transfer govt employees, CM Saini puts his foot down
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Haryana charges 6 officials over illegal Aravalli mining in Nuh
The Haryana government has formally acknowledged large-scale illegal mining in Rawa village of Nuh district, dating back to 2011. Acting on a geospatial probe, the state has charged six senior officials from the Department of Mines and Geology under Rule 7 of the Haryana Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules for their alleged role in the mining. An area where illegal mining used to take place at Panchgaon village in Nuh. (HT Archive) The officials named in the government communique include Assistant Mining Officer R.S. Thakran and Mining Officers Bhupender Singh, BD Yadav, Rajender Prasad, Anil Kumar, and Anil Atwal. The probe, ordered by Commissioner and Secretary, Mines and Geology, T.L. Satya Prakash, found that around 25 acres of Aravalli hill land in Haryana's revenue territory had been illegally mined by leaseholders from Rajasthan. The excavation spanned from November 2011 to January 2025, resulting in the loss of over 80 lakh tonnes of Aravalli stone. 'While taking strict cognisance of the illegal mining activities, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has directed that six officers of the Mining Department be charge-sheeted. He has also ordered action against staff from the Panchayat and Forest Departments found complicit in the case,' the state government said in a statement. The crackdown follows a complaint alleging excess extraction in Rawa village, located in Ferozepur Jhirka tehsil. Subsequent departmental investigations confirmed the illegal operations. Despite multiple attempts, Satya Prakash and director general of Mining, Pandurang did not respond to HT's request for a comment. Environmental activists have long flagged unchecked mining in fragile Aravalli zones like Nuh, warning of severe ecological consequences. A senior official, requesting anonymity, said the Rawa case could be 'just the tip of the iceberg', with more action expected in the coming weeks.
