New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has stepped up its oversight of the AGMUT cadre, with directions for quicker reporting of legal, investigative and disciplinary developments involving IAS, IPS, DANICS and DANIPS officers, according to sources.
The ministry has asked the different AGMUT segments to inform it within 48 hours about cases, arrests, adverse court orders or action by investigation agencies involving officers. According to sources, the decision follows concerns over delays in communicating developments arising from investigations by agencies including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
The latest directions also cover the handling of pending disciplinary proceedings. The AGMUT segments have been asked to provide the ministry with updated case records by October 15, along with an indication of whether the proceedings are at the pre-charge-sheet or post-charge-sheet stage.
Rather than simply reporting the status of these cases, the administrations have been asked to ensure that disciplinary proposals contain the necessary supporting material, including the facts of the matter, sequence of events, relevant authenticated documents, witness details, draft charges and the proposed penalty. The reasons for initiating the proceedings are also to be specified. Proposals returned by the ministry for deficiencies are required to be completed and sent back within 15 days.
Prolonged Leave Comes Under Closer Watch
The ministry has also turned its attention to cases where AGMUT officers have remained away from duty on prolonged leave.
According to sources, the administrations have been asked to verify the officer’s leave account, the nature and duration of leave, extensions granted and other relevant details, including the officer’s place of stay.
The exercise also has a financial component. Salary is to be released only for periods covered by duly sanctioned leave, with any excess payment identified for recovery under the applicable rules.
Ladakh, Puducherry, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Arunachal Pradesh have been specifically asked to undertake verification of leave records. Prolonged unexplained absence or failure to return to duty despite directions could invite disciplinary action under service rules.
Training Compliance Also on MHA’s Agenda
The review has also brought mandatory training requirements into sharper focus. The ministry has directed that exemptions should be allowed only in genuinely exceptional circumstances.
AGMUT segments have been asked to maintain internal systems for tracking officers’ training requirements. Officers who are approaching promotion eligibility are to be given priority for being relieved for mandatory training.
Arunachal, J&K Asked to Speed Up Induction Work
The MHA has asked Arunachal Pradesh to expedite its proposal for induction of State Police Service officers into the IPS for the 2025 Select List and forward it to the UPSC.
Jammu and Kashmir has been directed to complete APARs and other documentation for pending IAS and IPS induction proposals so that they are ready for submission to the UPSC once vacancies are finalised.
The ministry has also called for continuous direct recruitment in state civil and police services across AGMUT segments and clearance of existing recruitment backlogs.
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