In a surprise check at the head office of Punjab Health and Family Welfare Department on Monday morning, 141 officers were found absent including the Health and Family Director, among other senior level officers.
The inspection was carried out by a high-level team led by Special Secretary (Personnel) Gurpreet Sapra at 9:10 am in compliance of and in continuation of the drive of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to ensure punctuality and regularity of officers and officials in all Government offices.
An official spokesperson said the team inspected office rooms of some senior level officers such as Director, Deputy Directors, and others, besides the administrative branches of the said Directorate.
Director Health and Family Welfare Dr Karamjit Singh, Director Health Services and Family Welfare Dr Jatinder Kaur, joint director Dr Diljeet Singh Cheema, deputy director Saroj Bala, Joint Controller, F&A Piara Ram, and 24 other doctors were not present at the time of checking.
During the surprise check, that lasted till 9.40 am, the team of senior functionaries of the Personnel Department collected all attendance registers of offices and has already submitted its report to the Punjab Chief Secretary.
Punjab Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal has asked the State Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Vini Mahajan to seek explanation of 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.