Date:04/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/03/04/stories/2005030408460400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

IPS officer faces disciplinary action

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MAR. 3. The State Government has decided to initiate disciplinary action against a senior IPS officer, A. Sivasankar, for his alleged "grave misconduct" in recommending the names of two IPS officers for `Antrik Suraksha Seva' medals, when they are not eligible for the award. Following the decision, the Chief Secretary, Mohan Kanda, has directed Mr. Sivasankar, presently working as the Additional Director General of Police, Railways, to submit a written statement of defence before March 15. This direction was issued through GO Rt No. 1035 dated March 1.

The order maintained that Mr. Sivasankar, while working as IG of Intelligence had recommended the two other IPS officers -- R. Eswara Reddy and K. Lakshman Mohan -- apart from himself for the `Antrik Suraksha Seva' medals instituted by the Central Government. The minimum eligibility for the award is that an officer should have worked at least two years in six notified districts of Warangal, Khammam, Karimnagar, Adilabad, Medak and Nalgonda.

None qualified

The order said none of the three was qualified for the award. While Mr. Reddy worked in the notified districts for five months and 25 days, Mr. Lakshman Mohan and Mr. Sivasankar "did not work a single day in the notified districts."