CM makes surprise inspection of Namchi offices, finds 40 officials playing truant

HRDD TOPS LIST OF ‘BUNKING’ OFFICERS, CM CALLS FOR EXPLANATION

PURAN TAMANG
NAMCHI, 05 Feb: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling made a surprise inspection of government offices here in the South district headquarter town and discovered firsthand that 40 of the personnel posted in the district had decided to take an unauthorised extended weekend. Yesterday, it may be recalled, was Sonam Lochar [a gazetted holiday in Sikkim]. With today a Saturday, and another holiday tomorrow, these personnel had obviously decided to enjoy a 3-day holiday while still ‘officially’ on duty.
Perturbed by this lackadaisical work ethic, the Chief Minister directed that all the 40 personnel, 26 officers and 14 office staff, who were found absent [without authorisation] from their posts today be recorded as being on leave without pay [for which he has directed a file to be put up], and has directed that explanations be called from all of them.
This was at the District Administrative Centre here were most of the government departments are housed.
The Human Resource Development Department topped this list of ignominy with 22 of its personnel not having reported for duty today. Of the 22, 14 are officer rank personnel including the Joint Director, eputy Secretary, AEOs and Junior Assistants. Eight members of the office staff at HRDD who were absent without intimation included the accountant, junior accountants and LDCs from the general and establishment sections and SSA.
At the Agriculture Department office, five officials were found AWOL- the Joint Director, Deputy Director and Assistant Director and two members of the clerical staff.
Three personnel from the Accounts Section of the DC office were also absent without leave as was the CDPO from the Social Justice Department.
From Cooperative Department, 4 names were taken down, including the Audit Officer. Similarly, at the Pay & Accounts office, three officials were playing truant – the CAO and Additional Director included.
At the Irrigation & Flood Control Department, the Assistant Engineer was absent without leave.
To the personnel were on duty, the CM urged that they deliver on their duties and responsibilities diligently and extend the best service to the people. This was the least expected from them following the best salary packet in the country enjoyed by government servants in Sikkim, the CM stressed.
During the visit in the Confidential Section of Land Revenue Department CM said that the general public is unaware about sophisticated system of the time, they cannot understand it well so the department officers should not make any delay to get the Identification Certificate.
He also left specific directions for the different sections here on how they should process public applications – prioritising efficiency and people-centric service.
The Chief Minister also ordered the District Collector, South, AK Singh, to direct all absent [without leave] personnel to be recorded for leave without pay and call for an explanation on their absence from office.
The CM was accompanied on his surprise inspection by the Namchi-Singithang MLA, Binod Rai, chairman, Tea Board, Gagan Rai, the DC, SDM (HQ) Yanchen Tamang, ADC SL Rai and other officers from the various departments.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister met members of the general public at the SDF party office here. During his interactions, the CM also expressing his dissatisfaction with the limited progress made by the cooperative movement in Sikkim and asked the panchayats and party workers to motivate the people to form effective cooperatives.