Delay in processing the applications for clearance

(1) In case, it comes to the notice of The State Empowered Committee, or as the case may be, District Empowered Committee, that any officer or official of the concerned Competent Authority has delayed in disposing of the application for clearances without any reasonable ground or on any frivolous or malicious ground, it may pass an appropriate order in this regard for initiating departmental proceedings against such officer or official by the concerned Competent Authority and for taking disciplinary action under relevant rules. (2) After an order is passed under sub-section (1) of this section, the concerned Competent Authority shall initiate disciplinary proceedings against the delinquent officer or official within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of the order.