For the purposes of this Act —
(a) “departmental inquiry” means an inquiry held under and in accordance with —
(i) any law made by the State Legislature or any rule made thereunder, or
(ii) any rule made under the proviso to Article 309, or continued under Article 313 of the Constitution, into any charges against any person referred to in section 2 ;
(b) “inquiring authority” means any officer or authority who is empowered by or under any law or rule for the time being in force to hold a departmental inquiry, and includes an officer or authority to whom the power to hold such inquiry is delegated by the competent authority ;
(c) “charges” include any allegation in respect of which disciplinary action is proposed to be taken against a person while he is in service or while he holds a post, or where he has ceased to be in service or to hold a post, any misconduct or negligence on account of which action by way of withholding or withdrawing pension or any part of it or of recovery from pension of any pecuniary loss caused to the employer is proposed to be taken against him.