Although, the state government has not been able to finally make up its mind on the nature of action warranted against the officer, the officials in the Enforcement Department claim that its investigations have made significant breakthrough on the charges listed against Sharma in the FIRs. The state government has, however, not yet given any fresh instructions on the impending probe on foreign visits of the booked officer, they claim.

The documents pertaining to Sharma's foreign visit reached the state government late last year after he had already returned to the country. The officials in the HPCB had also intercepted certain drafts in foreign currency and E-mail, which provide vital clues about the purpose of the foreign visit, places and his participation in some prestigious conferences ostensibly in his capacity as member secretary of the board.

Ironically, before his visits to the two countries, Sharma had already been repatriated to his parent Department of Industries and his successor was also appointed by the government. Soon after his repatriation to the parent department, Sharma had proceed on leave and did not join duty and had left for abroad to attend the conferences without obtaining necessary permission from the government.

When contacted, Additional Chief Secretary Harsh Gupta confirmed the charges against Sharma. He said: ``Action against him had already been initiated.'' Basically, the government had been examining various options to question the official on his authorised absence from duty and subsequent foreign visits without government permission. On other offences, allegedly committed by him during his tenure as member secretary, a separate charge-sheet has been prepared, the Additional Chief Secretary revealed. Gupta also holds the charge of the secretary to the Department of Industries.

The Industries Department sources said Sharma, who had been out of town for sometime, had not shown any interest to report on duty. In the FIRs, Sharma faces charges of financial irregularities, excess purchases and compilation of the accounts. Besides, several items from the stocks have also been found missing.

Sharma's wife has filed a case of defamation against the HPPCB and the Press on a news items relating to the FIRs against her husband.