Ministry of Industries and Production (MoI&P) has issued show cause notice to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC), and Engineer Omer Saeed Malik for allegedly using the organisation's resources during three day private visit to Qatar, well informed sources told Business Recorder. According to the Ministry, CEO, NFC who is working on a contract basis for three years, has been found guilty of misconduct while proceeding to Doha in a private capacity but claiming that he attended a seminar/conference.
The Ministry, in its show cause notice, issued on March 15, 2019 has stated that the CEO was granted three-day ex-Pakistan leave with effect from March 9-11, 2019 on account of private visit to Doha but it has been reported that he has used NFC's resources to meet the expenditure of the entire trip to Doha which was a private visit.
According to the Esta Code Chapter-8 (Part-II),Conduct, Efficiency and Discipline rule Sr.No.15.2( 2 c) on "Government servants ( efficiency and discipline) Rules- a government servant can be processed against if he is guilty of misconduct or is found to be engaged in subversive activities independently or in association with others under rule 3 of the said rules.
For subversive activities, the penalty can be compulsory retirement, removal of dismissal from service" read with Sr. No.23 Efficiency and Disciplinary Rules, 1973 3(b)(b-iii) where a government servant in the opinion or the authority is guilty of misconduct the authority can impose major penalty i.e. removal from service.
The Ministry of Industries and Production argues that by reason quoted in Esta code the CEO is guilty of gross misconduct/ inefficiency and disobedience/ insubordination within the meanings of Rule 3(a) & (b) of the Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rule, 1973.
The Show Cause Notice further says that the CEO's act of misconduct is liable to be proceeded in the light of Rule 5(ii) and (iii) (a)(b) of the Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules,1973.
"Now, you are called upon to Show Cause as to why one or more of the penalties including major penalty of dismissal from service as prescribed in Rule-4 of the Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1973 should not be imposed."
The Ministry of Industries and Production had sought a written reply to the Show Cause Notice within seven days of issuance of the letter failing which it would be presumed that he has no defence to offer, and ex-parte decision would be taken.
The sources said, CEO NFC has submitted his reply to the Show Cause Notice which is being examined by the Ministry to reach a final conclusion.
CEO, NFC, sources said, in his reply has stated that the charges in the Show Cause Notice are unfounded as he has not used official resources during his private visit to Qatar.