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Odisha Govt Clarifies Inquiry Officers Should Not Recommend Punishment in Departmental Proceedings

GA&PG Department Letter No. 19708 – Inquiry Officer Penalty Recommendation

GA&PG DEPARTMENT LETTER NO. 19708 – INQUIRY OFFICER NOT TO RECOMMEND PENALTY

Government of Odisha, General Administration & Public Grievance Department – Letter Dated 22.06.2026

Reference Letter No. 19708

Issuing Authority GA & PG Department, Govt. of Odisha

Date 22.06.2026

Subject Inquiry Officer – Penalty Recommendation

Key Instruction

No Penalty Recommendation

Inquiry Officer shall not recommend any penalty

Report Scope

Findings Only

Confined to each article of charge with reasons and evidence

Applicable To

All Disciplinary Authorities

And Inquiry Officers under administrative control

Key Directives of the Letter

No Penalty Recommendation: The Inquiry Officer is not required to recommend any penalty in their inquiry reports.
Report Content: The inquiry report should be confined to recording findings on each article of charge, together with the reasons therefor and the evidence relied upon in support of such findings.
Strict Compliance: All Disciplinary Authorities and Inquiry Officers under the administrative control of the department are directed to bring these instructions to notice and ensure strict compliance.
Circulation: Copies of the letter have been forwarded to the Secretary, Board of Revenue and all Revenue Divisional Commissioners for information and necessary action.
Internal Circulation: Copies also sent to OE-I / OE-II / C.A.-III / Services-I / Services-II / F.E. Sections / G.A. Department Library (10 copies) / Guard file (10 copies) for information and necessary action.

Important Points to Note

Clear Instruction: The letter explicitly states that Inquiry Officers must not include any penalty recommendation in their reports.
Focus on Findings: The report must only contain factual findings, reasons, and evidence for each charge – no suggestion of punishment.
Wide Applicability: This instruction applies to all Disciplinary Authorities and Inquiry Officers under the GA&PG Department's administrative control.
Broad Circulation: The letter has been circulated to key departments and officials for ensuring uniform implementation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does GA&PG Department Letter No. 19708 dated 22.06.2026 instruct?

It instructs that the Inquiry Officer is not required to recommend any penalty in their inquiry reports. The report should only contain findings on each article of charge with reasons and evidence.

What should be included in the inquiry report as per this letter?

The inquiry report should be confined to recording findings on each article of charge, together with the reasons for such findings and the evidence relied upon in support of those findings.

Who is required to follow these instructions?

All Disciplinary Authorities and Inquiry Officers under the administrative control of the GA&PG Department must comply with these instructions.

Has the letter been circulated to other departments?

Yes. Copies have been forwarded to the Secretary, Board of Revenue and all Revenue Divisional Commissioners, as well as various internal sections for information and necessary action.

Why has this instruction been issued?

The letter does not explicitly state the reason, but it is likely issued to ensure uniformity in disciplinary proceedings and to separate the fact-finding role of the Inquiry Officer from the penalty-imposing role of the Disciplinary Authority.

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