- (1.) The appellant/writ petitioner, while posted as Senior Manager at Ganesh Chandra Avenue Branch of UCO Bank, Kolkata during the period from 14/12/2005 to 28/07/2007 had allegedly committed irregularities in sanctioning and disbursing loan to borrowers thereby exposing the Bank to financial loss. Departmental proceedings were initiated against the writ petitioner who was charge-sheeted on 04/01/2010.
(2.) The charge-sheet contained the following five articles of charge: "(i) Sri Halder failed to discharge his duties with devotion and diligence which is violative of Regulation 3 of UCO Bank Officer employees' (Conduct) Regulation 1976, as amended. (ii) Sri Halder acted otherwise than in his best judgment which is violative of Regulation 3 of UCO Bank Officer employees' (Conduct) Regulation 1976, as amended. (iii) Sri Halder abused his power and position and acted in a manner unbecoming of an Officer employee of the Bank which is violative of Regulation 3 of UCO Bank Officer employees' (Conduct) Regulation 1976, as amended. (iv) Sri Halder failed to ensure and protect the interest of the Bank, which is violative of Regulation 3 of UCO Bank Officer Employees' (Conduct) Regulation 1976, as amended. (v) Sri Halder failed to discharge his duties with utmost integrity and honesty which is violative of Regulation 3 of UCO Bank Officer Employees' (Conduct) Regulation 1976, as amended."
(3.) The departmental enquiry was conducted by a retired Executive of the respondent Bank who submitted his findings along with the enquiry report to the Disciplinary Authority on 28/04/2010. The final order dated 31/07/2010 reveals that after examining all the relevant records of the enquiry proceedings including the enquiry report as well as upon hearing the charge-sheeted Officer, the Disciplinary Authority concurred with the findings of the Enquiry Officer and held that Charge No. 1, 3 and 4 were proved while Charge No. 5 was partly proved. The punishment imposed by the Disciplinary Authority is quoted hereunder: "Basic pay of Sri Halder is reduced by four stages in the time scale of pay for one year with further direction that Sri Halder will not earn increment during the period of such reduction and after expiry of the period the reduction will have the effect of postponing his further increment of pay.";