The Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020 (E&B Rules 2020)
The E&B Rules 2020 are the governing rules for the efficiency and discipline of civil servants in Pakistan. They were issued by the Establishment Division of the Government of Pakistan on February 25, 2020, and came into force on April 1, 2020.
The E&B Rules 2020 consolidate and amend the previous rules governing the efficiency and discipline of civil servants, namely the Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1973. The new rules have been introduced in order to improve the efficiency and discipline of the civil service, and to provide a more transparent and fair system for dealing with disciplinary matters.
The E&B Rules 2020 define the following key terms:
- "Civil servant" means a person who is a member of a civil service of Pakistan.
- "Disciplinary authority" means the authority empowered to take disciplinary action against a civil servant.
- "Efficiency" means the ability of a civil servant to perform his or her duties efficiently and effectively.
- "Misconduct" means any act or omission which is contrary to good behavior or which is unbecoming of a civil servant.
The E&B Rules 2020 set out the following grounds on which disciplinary action may be taken against a civil servant:
- Misconduct
- Inefficiency
- Disobedience of lawful orders
- Habitual neglect of duty
- Immoral or improper conduct
- Drunkenness or habitual use of drugs
- Absence from duty without leave
- Fraud or corruption
- Any other act or omission which is detrimental to the interests of the Government.
The E&B Rules 2020 also set out the following procedures for taking disciplinary action against a civil servant:
- A show cause notice must be issued to the civil servant, giving him or her an opportunity to explain his or her conduct.
- The disciplinary authority must hold an inquiry into the matter.
- The disciplinary authority must make a finding on the matter and decide on the appropriate action to be taken.
The E&B Rules 2020 also provide for the following penalties that may be imposed on a civil servant for misconduct:
- Censure
- Reduction in rank
- Demotion
- Reversion
- Suspension
- Dismissal from service
The E&B Rules 2020 are an important instrument for maintaining the efficiency and discipline of the civil service in Pakistan. They provide a clear and transparent framework for dealing with disciplinary matters, and they ensure that civil servants are held accountable for their actions.
In addition to the above, the E&B Rules 2020 also provide for the following:
- The establishment of a Central Review Board to review disciplinary cases.
- The right of a civil servant to appeal against a disciplinary decision.
- The protection of a civil servant from victimization.
The E&B Rules 2020 are a significant improvement over the previous rules governing the efficiency and discipline of civil servants. They provide a more comprehensive and fairer system for dealing with disciplinary matters, and they are essential for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the civil service