Review panel recommended Singh, Awasthi reinstatement

GUWAHATI, March 16: The State government today clarified that it had reinstated suspended police officials RM Singh, IPS, and Raghabendra Awasthi, IPS, on the basis of recommendation made by the Review Committee constituted for the purpose. In an official statement it was mentioned that Government of India in 1998 amended the existing provisions of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, and as per the amendment no officer should be kept under suspension beyond 180 days and cases of suspension are to be reviewed by a Review Committee to be constituted for the purpose. Accordingly, the state government constituted the Review Committee which following its meeting on February 24, 2000, recommended reinstatement of both the officers in service after considering the facts of the cases pending against them. The committee observed that there was no criminal case against Singh and he was suspended for unauthorised absence from duty only. Continued absence would not hold in a court of law as per the amended rules. Singh who remained suspended for three years, was recommended for reinstatement. Regarding Awasthi's case, the Review Committee observed that he too was under suspension for about three years and was chagesheeted in the criminal case in the session court. As such, there was no scope for tampering evidence and influencing the course of enquiry. Hence, he was recommended for reinstatement. However, the government remained silent over the composition of the Review Committee. It made clear that the disciplinary proceedings drawn up against both officers woudl continue and promotion of the two officers woudl be kept pending till disposal of the proceedings and the case.