Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Nov 2: The general public has been left to suffer as the habitual absenteeism was galore in most of the Government offices in various districts of Jammu region.
Worst is the condition in the rural areas of the region including tehsil and block level offices. In far- flung villages the employees especially from the Education (teachers) and Health Departments hardly attend to their duty and even the schools are some times found locked. Hardly a fortnight back, scores of employees in district Poonch were found absent when the Deputy Commissioner directed officers especially the CEO, Tehsildars, CMO to check the attendance of the employees.
A total 52 employees were found absent in just two tehsil headquarters of Kotranka and Thanamandi in Rajouri yesterday when Tehsildars concerned on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner Rajouri F C Bhagat conducted surprise visits and found over 52 employees including gazetted officers absent from duty. Taking serious note of it, the Deputy Commissioner has stopped the salaries of these employees and sought their explanation.
In Community Health Centre (Hospital), Kotranka, Tehsildar Israr Ahmed found total 16 employees including a doctor and two Community Health Officers absent from duty. The list was forwarded to DC Rajouri and Director Health Services Jammu for necessary action. Those found absent included Dr Bashir Ahmed ( BMO Kandi), Mohd Ayub and Nirmal Dutta (CHOs), Abdul Saboor Malik ( Sr Asstt), Ajaz Ahmed Lab Tech, Deepak Talwar BHEO, Qamar Hanief BAM absent since Oct 7, 2013, Kamala Kumari LHV, Javed Iqbal driver absent since October 8, Rajesh Kumar driver, Vandana Raina FMPHW, Shamshad Malik JSN absent since October 27, Begum Jan FNO, Khalida Begum FNO absent since October 24, Mohd Akhtar NO absent since Oct 24 and Ravinder Singh Nursing Orderly.
In BDO office, Kotranka only two employees were found working while all others were found absent. They included Mohd Rafiq Inspector Pyt, Nazir Hussain Section Officer, Mohd Akbar Senior Assistant, Shakeel Ahmed CIC Operator, Vinod Kumar SGSY incharge, Prem Pal Helper, Rajinder Kumar orderly and Jamal Din Helper. In Horticulture office Kotranka five employees who were found absent included Arshed Jamil Horticulture Development Officer, Wazir Ali, Ghulam Hussain, Wasim Iqbal and Ghulam Hassan- all Hort Tech.
In CDPO Kotranka office Senior Assistant Ajaz Ahmed was found absent since Oct 14, Akhmat Begum Supervisor absent since Oct 23, Meenakshi Kotwal supervisor absent since Oct 14, Noor Jan Supervisor. Shamim Akhtar and Shamim Bano were also found asbent during the visit of Ist Class Magistrate. PHE, I&FC offices were found locked while only a peon was present in Animal Husbandry office. No employee was found in TSO office while in Sheep Husbandry office four employees were absent. They included Dr Mohd Akseer VAS, Mohd Rafiq FS, Daleep Singh ALO and Mohd Rafiq -Field Asstt. Three employees found absent in the local PDD office at Kotranka incouded SDC Ghulam Hussain (absent since Oct 9) , Mohd Iqbal Lineman (absent since Oct 9) and Mana Wanti attendant.
The DC directed district officers concerned to seek explanation from the absentees and submit the report for further action. It is not the case in Poonch and Rajouri, the same practice of habitual absenteeism was galore in other areas including Mahore, Bani, Billawar, Basohli, Dudu-Basatgarh, Chenani, Lati, Bhalessa, Gandoah, Chhatroo, Paddar,Wadwan, Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban areas of the region. Many Primary and even the Govt Middle Schools go locked for the days together in the remote areas.
Meanwhile, Tehsildar Thanamandi Farooq Khan during surprise checking at Govt Higher Secondary School (Boys) Thanamandi found ten lecturers, teachers besides two clerks absent from duty. They included Principal of the HSS Mohd Sharief, Farooq- lecturer, Abid Hussain-lecturer, Shafiq Mir-lecturer, Mushtaq Mir, Ayaz Raina and Shahnaz Ahmed -teachers, Ram Lal senior Assistant, Mohd Azam-Junior Assistant and Saleema Begum- peon. CEO was asked to seek explanation and forward the report for further action.
Tehsildar during visit to Govt Middle school Thanamandi found that sitting condition was worse. He found 4 rooms of the schools locked and under the illegal occupation of a local contractor Shokat Shawl of Thanamandi. He was using these rooms as private stores. ZEO and Headmaster were asked to explain the position. The DC directed the DDOs concerned to stop the salaries of these employees and sought further action under law against them.