GO 177 Strict Accountability and Responsibilities for Disciplinary Authorities under AP CCA Rules 1991
| Key Aspect | Details / Summary |
|---|---|
| Order Number & Date | G.O.MS.No. 177, Dated: 02-09-2026 |
| Department | General Administration (SER.C) Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh |
| Subject & Rules Governed | Public Services – Disciplinary Cases – APCS (CC&A) Rules, 1991 |
| Issuing Authority | G. Sai Prasad, Chief Secretary to Government of Andhra Pradesh |
| Core Objective | Fixing personal responsibility on Disciplinary Authorities to eliminate procedural delays and conclude inquiries strictly within time limits. |
| Enforcement & Consequence | Immediate prospective effect; Disciplinary action will be taken against errant/negligent Disciplinary Authorities across all levels. |
| Official Portal Reference | http://goir.ap.gov.in/ |
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION (SER.C) DEPARTMENT
G.O.MS.No. 177
Dated: 02-09-2026
Read the following:
- G.O.Ms.No.41, G.A. (Ser.C) Department, dated 18.04.2021.
- G.O.Ms.No.91, G.A. (Ser.C) Department, dated 12.09.2022.
- G.O.Ms.No.78, G.A. (Ser.C) Department, dated 01.07.2026.
ORDER:
Whereas, Rule 2(c) of the Andhra Pradesh Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1991 defines the expression "Disciplinary Authority" to mean the authority competent under the said Rules to impose on a Government servant any of the penalties specified in Rule 9 or Rule 10 thereof.
2. Whereas, in the Government Order first read above, orders were issued prescribing time limits for conclusion of disciplinary proceedings arising out of red-handed trap cases which were investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) & in the Government Order second read above, orders were issued prescribing definite time limits for completion of the various stages involved in disciplinary proceedings.
3. Whereas, in the Government Order third read above, orders were issued introducing a Periodic Review Mechanism (PRM) for review of all pending disciplinary cases at the levels of the State, Secretariat Departments, Heads of Departments, Regional Offices, District Heads and Disciplinary Authorities.
4. And, whereas Government considers that the Disciplinary Authority derives the powers to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Government servants from the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1991, and shall exercise such powers in accordance with the procedure prescribed therein. The said Rules also prescribe the procedure for conducting disciplinary inquiries and for imposition of penalties on the charged Government servants. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the Disciplinary Authority to ensure that disciplinary proceedings are conducted and concluded within the time limits prescribed under the said Rules and the various orders issued by the Government from time to time.
5. The review of the pendency of disciplinary cases in the State, exhibits that there are failures on the part of the Disciplinary Authorities in initiating disciplinary proceedings, conducting inquiries, and concluding the cases within the timelines prescribed by the Government. The reasons for such delays, inter alia, include vague framing of charges, lack of timely review of the progress of disciplinary cases, and failure to ensure their expeditious conclusion.
6. In order to ensure an effective and foolproof system for dealing with disciplinary cases by the Disciplinary Authorities, it is considered necessary to fix responsibility on the concerned Disciplinary Authorities for any delay, omission, or failure in initiating, conducting, and concluding disciplinary proceedings as per the procedure and within the timelines prescribed by the Government.
7. Government, after careful examination of the matter in its entirety, hereby fix the responsibility on all the Disciplinary Authorities to strictly adhere to the prescribed timelines at every stage of the disciplinary proceedings, including initiation of disciplinary proceedings, issue and communication of the charge memorandum along with the requisite documents to the charged officers, appointment of Inquiring Authorities or conduct of self-inquiry wherever necessary, appointment of Presenting Officers, examination of the Written Statement of Defence & representations submitted by the charged officers, consideration of the findings of the Inquiring Authorities, and passing of final orders concluding the disciplinary proceedings.
8. Further, the responsibility is fixed on the Disciplinary Authorities to also adhere to the prescribed timelines for consultation with Andhra Pradesh Vigilance Commission / Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission, wherever such consultation is required, and to ensure regular review and monitoring of the progress of disciplinary cases with a view to expediting their disposal and reducing the pendency in accordance with the timelines prescribed.
9. Government have further decided that, based on the information brought to notice or suo motu, disciplinary action or such other appropriate action, as deemed fit, shall be initiated against the Disciplinary Authorities at the levels of District, Regional, Head of Department & Secretariat Departments, henceforth, wherever any failure to adhere to the prescribed procedure, or negligence, inaction or undue delay is noticed in dealing with disciplinary cases or in adhering to the prescribed timelines.
10. The above orders shall come into force with immediate prospective effect.
11. The Special Chief Secretaries/Principal Secretaries/Secretaries to Government, the Head of Departments/State Level Institutions/Special Establishments etc., the District Collectors in the State & all the Disciplinary Authorities in the State shall take necessary action in the matter accordingly.
Download the GO Copy PDF
