Centre forces 15 tax officials facing corruption charges to retire

The Centre on Tuesday “compulsorily retired” 15 senior customs and central excise officials who were facing corruption and bribery charges, reported PTI. Some of them were already under suspension.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Clause (j) of rule 56 of the Fundamental Rules, the President of India has retired 15 Officers of Indian Revenue Service (C&CE) in public interest with immediate effect on completing 50 years of age,” the finance ministry said on Twitter.

Rule 56(j) provides for compulsory retirement of government staff in public interest but it has been invoked sparingly. Under this section, the performance of an officer who has turned 50 or 55, or has completed 30 years of service – whichever is earlier – is reviewed to ascertain if he or she is liable for compulsory retirement.