As many as 146 officials were found absent from their duty on Tuesday during a surprise check in the Punjab Rural Development Department at Mohali.
The checking, “conducted to ensure punctuality and regularity of officials in Government offices,” was carried out by a team of the State Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal, headed by Special Secretary (Personnel) Gurpreet Sapra at 9.20 am.
Inspection of office rooms of some senior level officers such as Director, Deputy Directors and Administrative branches of the department was conducted and 146 officials were found absent, including Deputy Director, law Officers, Superintendent Engineers and Executive Engineers.
The surprise check, carried out in continuation of the drive of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to ensure punctuality and regularity of officers and officials in all Government offices, lasted for 30 minutes.
The team of senior functionaries of the Personnel Department collected all attendance registers of the offices and has already submitted its report to the state Chief Secretary.
Chief Secretary has ordered that Financial Commissioner, Rural Development and Panchyat, MS Sandhu should seek explanation of the absentee officers and officials and take necessary action within seven days.
In case, satisfactory explanations are not received within seven days, the absentee officers or officials shall be charge-sheeted by the competent authorities, directed the Chief Secretary, besides ordering issuance of warning to the CVO of the Department due to his failure to ensure punctuality and regularity.