Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Dec 28: Taking strong note of absenteeism and dereliction of duty, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Mohd Aijaz Asad has ordered suspension of Tehsildar Nowshera and initiation of disciplinary action against 16 officials.
Suspension of Tehsildar Nowshera, Qadeer Ul Rehman was ordered for his unauthorized absence from an urgent Law and Order duty without any information to the district administration.
The matter of his absence from duty came to fore during a law and order problem that erupted in Nowshera Town yesterday when family members of a deceased Army Porter, who had lost his life near LoC in a militancy related incident on Wednesday, blocked traffic and started a protest demanding adequate compensation to the victim’s family.
Soon after the information of protest was received by district administration through police and other intelligence agencies, multiple calls were made from DC office Rajouri to Tehsildar Nowshera to get a briefing about the situation to pacify the protest. He was also called from personal contact number of the District Magistrate thrice but he failed to respond and didn’t even call back.
The officer had allegedly left the station without taking permission from the competent authority and due to his absence district administration faced tough time in handling the situation.
As, Additional DC Nowshera has been deputed for a training programme by State Government, it was very important for Tehsildar Nowshera to remain present at the station round the clock but he remained negligent towards the Law and Order issue despite the fact that the unfortunate incident happened a day before the protest episode.
Besides, Tehsildar Nowshera also violated directions from higher authorities in which an officer cannot leave the station without the permission of district authorities. According to an official spokesman, Tehsildar Nowshera was not even present on duty during post mortem examination of the body of deceased.
Taking note of this gross official misconduct and behaviour unbecoming of a public servant on part of Tehsildar Nowshera, District Magistrate Rajouri has placed him under suspension with immediate effect and attached him in the office of Assistant Commissioner Revenue Rajouri.
Tehsildar Qila Darhal shall look after the charge of Tehsildar Nowshera till further orders.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner has also ordered initiatation of disciplinary action against 16 officials for unauthorized absence from duty.
A surprise inspection of Government offices at District Headquarter was conducted on Wednesday at 10:30 am, during which 16 employees were found absent from the duty.
The offices inspected include Chief Planning Office Rajouri where two employees were found absent. The other office inspected was office of the District Statistics and Evaluation Office, where 8 employ were found absent. Similarly 6 employees were found absent in the office of the Regional director Land Records.
Taking strong note of mass absenteeism, the Deputy Commissioner directed the erring or absentees to submit their reply within one day.
The District Treasury Officer has been directed not to release the salaries of absentee employees till further orders. ADC Rajouri has been asked to enquire into the issue and recommend action under conduct rules.
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