GAD tightens rules on employees’ accountability

Patna: The general administration department (GAD) on Thursday issued fresh guidelines allowing disciplinary action against govt employees for irregularities committed during their tenure on contract or while working through outsourcing arrangements.Under existing practice, many individuals initially recruited on contract or via outsourcing are later regularised as govt employees. The new guidelines make it clear that such regularisation will not shield them from action for past misconduct.GAD additional chief secretary B Rajender said the decision aims to strengthen accountability and enforce stricter disciplinary norms. “This is an important step to fix accountability and make disciplinary norms more robust. Conversion from contractual status will not be an obstacle in taking action for irregularities committed earlier,” he said.As per the guidelines, if charges of irregularity are proved and fall under punishable offences, action will be taken against the employees concerned under relevant disciplinary rules framed in 2005. The department clarified that several such cases had come to light, raising doubts about whether action could be initiated after regularisation.To address the issue, the GAD sought legal opinion through the law department from the advocate general (AG), who confirmed that govt employees can be held accountable for misconduct committed while serving in a contractual capacity.Officials said the move is being seen as a key step towards enhancing transparency, discipline and accountability within govt services. The guidelines send a clear message that irregularities at any stage of service will not be overlooked, and those found guilty will face action regardless of their employment status at the time of the offence.