Clarification on Promotion of Govt Servant Awarded Minor Penalty | GA & PG Dept Odisha Letter No.3162 Dated 24.01.2025
Clarification on Promotion of Government Servant Awarded Minor Penalty
Department: General Administration & Public Grievance Department, Government of Odisha
Letter No: 3162 | Date: 24.01.2025
Published: 24 January 2025 (as per official letter date) Applicable to: All Odisha State Government employees under OCS (CC&A) Rules, 1962
The GA & PG Department clarifies the procedure for consideration of promotion of government servants who have been awarded **minor penalties** on conclusion of disciplinary proceedings under Rule-15 of OCS (CC&A) Rules, 1962.
This clarification refers to earlier OMs No.29699/Gen. dated 01.11.1997 and No.7844 dated 04.03.2020, and resolves doubts raised from various quarters.
Key Clarifications on Promotion after Minor Penalty
- Suitability Assessment by DPC: The Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) shall assess suitability for promotion when occasion arises. The DPC will consider:
- Circumstances leading to imposition of the penalty
- Overall service record of the officer
- Even if Found Suitable: Promotion shall **not** be given during the currency of the penalty.
- Sealed Cover Cases with Minor Penalty: Where sealed cover procedure was adopted (per OM No.392B dated 18.02.1994) and later concluded with minor penalty (e.g., withholding of increment(s)):
- Consider for promotion **after** the penalty is imposed.
- If DPC finds him/her fit despite the penalty, promotion may be given **after expiry of the currency** of the penalty (following OM No.7844/Gen. dated 04.03.2020).
Important for DPCs & Employees:
- Minor penalty does **not** automatically bar promotion.
- DPC must evaluate full service record + penalty circumstances.
- Promotion deferred only during currency of penalty (e.g., withholding increment period).
- Post-penalty promotion allowed if found fit – no need to reopen sealed cover once penalty concluded.
📄 Official Letter (PDF): View / Download
WhatsApp Telegram Facebook PDFFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can an employee awarded minor penalty be promoted?
Yes – DPC assesses suitability considering full service record & circumstances of penalty. Promotion is deferred only during currency of the penalty.
2. What happens in sealed cover cases concluded with minor penalty?
Consider for promotion after penalty imposition. If DPC finds fit, promote after expiry of penalty currency (as per OM No.7844 dated 04.03.2020).
3. Does minor penalty permanently affect promotion?
No – it is not an automatic bar. DPC evaluates case-by-case; promotion allowed post-penalty if found suitable.
4. Which authority decides suitability after minor penalty?
The Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) assesses suitability when promotion occasion arises.
5. Which earlier OMs are referenced in this clarification?
OM No.29699/Gen. dated 01.11.1997, OM No.7844 dated 04.03.2020, and OM No.392B dated 18.02.1994 (sealed cover procedure).