Salaries Withheld for 40 Absent Doctors and Workers After Surprise Inspection

Patna: On the direction of District Magistrate Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh, a surprise inspection of various offices was conducted by flying squads today. During the inspection, four doctors and 36 workers were found absent. Consequently, the District Magistrate has withheld the salaries of all 40 absent officers and workers until further notice and has issued show-cause notices to all. Dr. Singh emphasized that if the explanations provided are not satisfactory, disciplinary and departmental actions will be initiated against the negligent officers and workers.

The district-level raid team, comprising Additional District Magistrate (Supply), Establishment Sub-Collector, and District Welfare Officer, conducted a surprise inspection at the Civil Surgeon Office at 10:20 AM, the office of the Additional Chief Medical Officer at 10:40 AM, and the office of the Deputy Superintendent, Sub-Divisional Hospital, Gardanibagh at 11:00 AM. During the inspections, 17 workers and four doctors were absent from the Civil Surgeon Office. However, no personnel were found absent at the offices of the Additional Chief Medical Officer and the Deputy Superintendent, Sub-Divisional Hospital, Gardanibagh.

In a separate inspection, the Block Development Officer of Sampatchak found three personnel absent in the Block Panchayat Raj Office, seven in the Block Agriculture Office, four in the Primary Health Center Sampatchak, and five in the BRC, Sampatchak.

District Magistrate Dr. Singh stated that indiscipline will not be tolerated. He confirmed that the salaries of all absent officers and personnel have been withheld, and an explanation has been sought from each of them.

Under Dr. Singh’s direction, surprise inspections of various offices are being conducted regularly by district-level, sub-division-level, and block-level raid teams. Each district-level raid team consists of three members: Additional District Magistrate (Supply), Establishment Sub-Collector, and District Welfare Officer. There are 18 sub-division-level raid teams and 23 block-level raid teams, each consisting of three officers. These teams are responsible for conducting surprise checks in all offices and branches, including block-cum-anchal offices, ICDS offices, health centres, hospitals, public service centres, and registration offices.

Dr. Singh has directed the controlling officers of all offices to ensure that all employees and officials register their attendance through a biometric system. He warned that strict action will be taken if this is not complied with.

He noted that there are frequent complaints about officers, doctors, and employees not being present at sub-divisional, block, zonal offices, and primary health centres on time. This absenteeism adversely affects work culture and causes significant inconvenience to the public. Dr. Singh stressed that timely presence of officers and employees is essential for maintaining a good work culture and that failure to do so is against the conduct prescribed for government servants. All office heads have been directed to ensure punctuality among their staff.

Dr. Singh also stated that officers have been authorized to inspect regional offices and hospitals. These inspections will include checking attendance records, including biometric data. Inspecting officers are required to submit a report with their findings on the same day, and strict legal action will be taken against those found absent.