The retired IAS officer, Satya Gopal (IAS:1988:AGMUT), has been issued a show cause notice by the Union Home Minister. The notice pertains to alleged improper financial benefits granted to two electricity distribution companies in 2021 during Gopal’s tenure as the Additional Chief Secretary in the Power Department of the Delhi government.
As per the memorandum, the Chief Minister of Delhi on May 13, 2021, granted approval to release the full 100% subsidy amount to the Electricity Generation/Transmission entities (namely IPGCL, PPCL, and DTL) under the Delhi government. This subsidy was intended for the fiscal year 2021-2022 and aimed to settle their outstanding dues, totaling around Rs 16,887 crore, owed by BRPL and BYPL as of March 31, 2021.
However, Satya Gopal deviated from the approved directive of the Delhi CM. In contravention of this approval, Gopal circulated a cabinet note presenting an alternate proposition. This new proposal suggested the direct allocation of 50% subsidy from a single quarter of the financial year 2021-2022 directly to BRPL and BYPL, the aforementioned power distribution companies. This arrangement persisted in the subsequent quarters of that financial year.
After a thorough review of the case records and pertinent facts, the disciplinary authority has tentatively concluded that Satya Gopal, former Additional Chief Secretary (Power) of GNCTD, displayed a failure to uphold absolute integrity, demonstrated a lack of commitment to duty, and behaved in a manner inconsistent with the conduct expected of a government official. This conclusion is deemed to contravene Rule 3 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, as stated in the memo.
Satya Gopal has been directed to respond within 15 days upon receiving this memorandum, providing reasons why disciplinary proceedings should not be initiated against him.
