Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal suspended his Additional Private Secretary Yogesh Buta for allegedly using the his name to influence a tender in favour of a particular party.
Sibal has instituted an inquiry into the matter.
National Brain Research Institute Director Dr Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath had written a complaint to Sibal saying Buta tried to influence her decision on the tender.
Ravindranath had earlier discussed the matter with an Officer on Special Duty in the ministry.
"I asked her to give the complaint in writing, following which I suspended the official," Sibal said.
The minister has also set up a complaint cell and instructed that such incidents should be reported to him directly.
"To send a clear message, I convened a meeting of my staff last Tuesday and asked them to maintain integrity. Such behaviour will not be tolerated," he said.
