The Chhattisgarh government has finally dismissed from service a woman employee of the horticulture department for remaining absent from her duty for 16 years, longer than the state has been in existance, an official source said on Saturday.

Sobha Gupta was posted as assistant grade-III in the Bilaspur-situated office of deputy director of horticulture department from April 1, 1980.

However from Nov 10, 1996, she remained absent from her work continuously without giving any information.

Taking cognizance of her unauthorised absence and conducting a departmental enquiry, the director, horticulture department and Raipur horticulture circle initiated steps for her removal under the provisions of Chhattisgarh Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules.

Finally, the order of her dismissal from service was released early in October.

Chhattisgaarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000.