In what appears to be a rude shock to senior IAS officer Bhanwarlal, the State government decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against him on Tuesday — the day of retirement for failing to pay rent arrears.
Mr. Bhanwarlal, a 1983 batch IAS officer, served as Chief Electoral Officer of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State and Ex-Officio Special Chief Secretary (General Administration- Elections). In a GO 2441 issued on Tuesday, Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar detailed the reasons for initiating the disciplinary action.
The GO said Mr. Bhanwarlal failed to pay the penal rent arrears of ₹4,37,500 for unauthorised stay in Government Quarters, though he was directed to pay the arrears in 2007 itself. The conduct of the Member of Service not to pay penal rent arrears is unbecoming of the conduct of All India Service Officers. Thus, Mr. Bhanwarlal failed to maintain absolute integrity, devotion to duty and exhibited conduct unbecoming of member of service and thereby contravened rule 3(1) of All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968,the CS said.
He was directed to submit a written statement of defence and state whether he desires to be heard in person, within 15 days of receipt of the order.
