The Punjab State Tax Commissioner has declared the services of four tax department employees as “deemed resigned” after they remained absent without sanctioned leave for more than a year, officials said on Thursday. The decision, signed by State Tax Commissioner Jatinder Jorwal, affects three Excise and Taxation Inspectors and a clerk.
Deemed resignation rule enforced after year-long absence
According to the administrative orders, the employees failed to report for duty despite multiple legal notices and repeated opportunities to rejoin their stations. Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the government follows a zero tolerance policy for indiscipline and dereliction of duty, adding that public service requires presence and dedication.
The terminations followed inquiries held under Rule 8 of the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970. The department cited separate cases: an inspector in Jalandhar-2 who was absent since 15 March 2023 after his leave request was denied; another inspector who did not report since 24 June 2023 despite being placed under suspension; a Ropar Range inspector whose absence dated back to 29 May 2021 after an approved ex-India leave; and a clerk in the Jalandhar Audit Wing who has not reported since 11 September 2023.
In the Ropar case, the employee had cited medical reasons and a history of heart surgery. Independent inquiries, however, concluded that he had been negligent in his official responsibilities and had not cooperated with investigations, even when virtual attendance was offered. In all four instances, procedural safeguards were followed before final orders were issued, the department said.
The decisive factor was guidance from the Finance Department dated 13 March 2025, which interprets prolonged unauthorised absence as a deemed resignation. Under this regulation, any government employee absent without sanctioned leave for more than one year is considered to have resigned from service without formal separation benefits. The orders explicitly state that those whose services are treated as deemed resignations will not be eligible for gratuity, pensionary benefits or other service-related dues.
Officials emphasised that the measure is administrative rather than punitive in the criminal sense, and is meant to preserve the integrity of public services. The department said notices were issued at several stages, and that affected individuals were given chances to explain their absence. Where responses were unsatisfactory or absent, authorities proceeded with enquiries and final administrative action.
Labour and administrative law specialists say such provisions exist to prevent long-term vacancies from undermining service delivery. They also note that invoking the deemed resignation rule can be contentious if employees can demonstrate authorised leave, serious medical incapacity or other legally protected reasons. In this round of dismissals, the department concluded there was insufficient justification to retain the officers on the payroll.
Mr Cheema framed the action as part of a broader effort to strengthen accountability in the state’s tax administration and to reassure citizens that state resources and services will not be undermined by unauthorised absences. The final orders bring immediate administrative closure to these cases, while underlining the government’s stance on workplace discipline.
Key Takeaways:
- Punjab government invoked the deemed resignation rule to terminate four tax department employees for unauthorised absence exceeding one year.
- Orders followed inquiries under Rule 8 of the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970 and Finance Department instructions dated 13 March 2025.
- The deemed resignation rule means no gratuity, pension or service benefits will be paid to the dismissed employees.
