NANNAM CHINNA REDDAIAH Vs. STATE OF A.P.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner, who has been working as Horticulture Officer has been imposed with major penalty of withholding of two annual grade increments with cumulative effect besides recovery of loss caused to Government to the tune of Rs.2,77,334.00, vide G.O.Ms.No.31, Agriculture and Co-operation (VIG.I) Department, dtd. 14/3/2024, issued by 1st respondent. Assailing the said order, he preferred W.P. No.10499 of 2024. This Court, by interim order dtd. 3/5/2024, suspended aforesaid impugned order pending writ petition. As petitioner was not considered for promotion to the post of Assistant Director of Horticulture under the guise of pendency of departmental proceedings, and that the respondents have deferred his promotion by issuing memo dtd. 27/7/2023, assailing the said memo, he preferred W.P. No.17970 of 2024.

(2.) Since both these writ petitions are interconnected, they are heard together and disposed of by present common order.

(3.) (a) Petitioner, while working as Horticulture Officer at Dharmavaram in Anantapur District, was issued charge memo vide No.Estt.I(2)09/2017, dtd. 3/1/2019, on the allegations that he violated procedures and guidelines of the State Plan Schemes while recommending payments of subsidy to the farmers which caused loss of public money, accordingly two Articles of Charges were communicated. Petitioner submitted explanation on 28/1/2019 refuting aforesaid charges. The 2nd respondent has thereafter by proceedings dtd. 7/3/2019 appointed Presenting Officer, however, no further proceedings came to be conducted in pursuance to above charge Memo.