CBEC Worried about Attrition?
RECENTLY several IRS officers have sought voluntary retirement, even as the Government is seriously considering compulsory retirement of unwanted officers.
CBEC in a letter to the Chief Commissioners yesterday states:
Rules 48 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 provides that at any time after completion of 30 years of service, a Government servant may retire from service after giving three months notice. It is open to the Appointing Authority to withhold permission in such cases if the Government servant is under suspension.
Rule 48A of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 provides that at any time after completion of 20 years of service, a Government servant may retire from service after giving three months' notice. This notice of voluntary retirement requires acceptance by the Appointing Authority subject to the condition that where the Appointing Authority does not refuse to grant permission for retirement before the expiry of the period specified in the said notice, the retirement shall become effective from the date of expiry of the said period. Hence, in terms of this rule, the Appointing Authority has the discretion to refuse permission for voluntary retirement.
Of late it has been observed that the concerned Chief Commissioners/CCAs merely forward such requests to the Board without examining the merit of the case. Voluntary retirement sought under Rule 48 and 48A of the CSS (Pension) Rules, 1972 by Service personnel should be properly examined on the basis of Officer's HoP, APARs, vigilance records etc. This should not be referred/proposed to the Board for acceptance as a matter of routine - reasons should be given in detail, justifying the request.
Board has observed that officers are seeking VRS without giving adequate/sufficient/convincing reasons/grounds and these are being forwarded in a routine manner by CCAs. In the course of their service, these officers acquire experience/knowledge of the day to day functioning of the Department, particularly the technicalities involved in collection/enhancement of revenue. This experience and knowledge of the officers are valuable assets, which go a long way in improving the efficiency and delivery mechanism of the Department. Their sudden departure deprives the Department of their institutional memory/experience. Any request for VRS under Rule 48A will first be examined on merit by Cadre Authority and only if there is sufficient and reasonable ground, such cases of VRS may be recommended to the Board.
The officer concerned should be informed by the Chief Commissioner/Director General/Commissioner concerned that he continues to be on duty till the decision of the competent authority is communicated by the Board.
CBEC F.No. 26014/13/2015-Ad.IIA., Dated September 21 2015