NO. 21011/1/2010- Estt.A
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances 8 Pensions
Department of Personnel 8 Training
*****
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances 8 Pensions
Department of Personnel 8 Training
*****
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 13th April, 2010
Dated the 13th April, 2010
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Below Benchmark grading in ACRs prior to the reporting period 2008-09
and objective consideration of
representation by the competent authority against remarks in the APAR or for
upgradatin of the final grading.
The undersigned is directed to say that prior to the
reporting period 2008-09, only the adverse remarks in the ACRs had to be
communicated to the concerned officer for representation, if any to be
considered by the competent authority. The question of treating the grading in
the ACR which is below the benchmark for next promotion has been considered in
this Department and it has been decided that if an employee is to be considered
for promotion in a future DPC and his ACRs prior to the period 2008-09 which
would be reckonable for assessment of his fitness in such future DPCs contain
final grading which are below the benchmark for his next promotion, before such
ACRs are placed before the DPC, the concerned employee will be given a copy of
the relevant ACR for his representation, if any, within 15 days of such
communication. It may be noted that only below benchmark ACR for the period
relevant to promotion need be sent. There is no need to send below benchmark
ACRs of other years.
2. As per existing instructions,
representations against the remarks or for upgradation of !he final grading
given in the APAR (previously known as ACR) should be examined by the competent
authority in consultation, if necessary, with the Reporting and the Reviewing
Officer, if any. While considering the representation, the competent authority
decides the matter objectively in a quasi-judicial manner on the basis of
material placed before it. This would imply that the competent authority shall
take into account the contentions of the officer who has represented against
the particular remarks/grading in the APAR and the views of the Reporting and
Reviewing officer if they are still in service on the points raised in the
representation vis-a-vis the remarks/gradings given bv them in the APAR. The
UPSC has informed this Departrnent that the Commission has observed that while
deciding such representations, the competent authorities sometimes do not take
into account the views of Reporting / Reviewing Officers if thev are still in
service. The Commission has further observed that in majority of such cases,
the competent authority does not give specific reasons for upgrading the below
benchmark ACR/APAR gradings at par with the benchmark for next promotion.
3. All Ministries / Departments
are therefore requested to inform the competent authorities while forwarding
such cases to them to decide on the representations against the remarks or for
upgradation of the grading in the APAR the decision on the representation may
be taken objectively after taking into account the views of the concerned Reporting
/ Reviewing Officers if they are still in service’ and in case of upgradation
of the final grading given in the APAR, specific reasons therefor may also be
given in the order of the competent authority.
(CA. Subramanian)
Director
Director