Even where the proposal is directly received by DoPT, the same may be sent first to the concerned state government or Central departments. Such report along with relevant records and evidence should then be fowarded to DoPT with approval of the competent authority. for preliminary examination.If a prima facie case against the IAS officer is made out, the state government or Central department would have to prepare a detailed report and consider obtaining version of the said officer. "Keeping in view the basic parameters and requirements for cases received from investigating agencies, it has been decided that the procedure for handling the requests for prosecution sanction received from private citizens may be streamlined," the DoPT said adding that such proposals may now be routed through the concerned state government or central department/ministry "as it is best placed to provide basic inputs as regards misconduct of concerned public servant". Where no prima facie case is warranted for misconduct or corruption, the private citizen may be so informed and a copy shared with DoPT, say the proposed guidelines.On receipt of a report and evidence backing a prima facie case, action may be initiated for processing the matter for decision of the competent authority.Importantly, the DoPT guidelines set a three-month time limit for disposing of prosecution sanction requests from private persons, starting from the date of receipt of complete proposal with all relevant material and aforesaid report from the concerned state government of central department or ministry.

Source: Times of India July 21, 2016 22:08 UTC