DC pulls up officials not attending plan panel meet

Irked over indiscipline among officials, deputy commissioner Varun Roojam has sought explanation from heads of several public departments for skipping district planning committee meeting on Tuesday.

Despite being informed about the meeting, the officials of several departments gave it a miss. Following this, Roojam issued notices to the erring employees and has directed them to file a reply within two days.

It should be mentioned that this was not the first time that district officials were issued notices. In November last year, executive officers of the irrigation department were pulled up for absence at official meetings.

"Due to absence of the officials, the administration fails to take important decisions many times due to lack of updated information about different social welfare schemes," Roojam said.

He also directed the officials to take prior permission for leave on the day of official meetings.

"Such indiscipline will not be tolerated in the future as strict disciplinary action will be initiated against erring officials," Roojam said.

District planning committee chairman Mahinder Singh Lalwa also took notice of the absentees and said the presence of heads of the departments is necessary in administrative meetings to implement public welfare schemes for the welfare of people in the district, including rural areas.

Suvidha centre inspected

Roojam, along with other senior officials, conducted a surprise check at a suvidha centre in Patiala on Tuesday.

He also interacted with the people and sought feedback regarding conduct of the employees and public services provided at the centre.

Meanwhile, he directed the employees to implement the Right to Service Act and provide public services in the stipulated time frame.