Two Junior Engineers Suspended in Panipat Civic Body Over Negligence in Duty
In a significant administrative action, the Panipat Municipal Corporation has suspended two junior engineers for negligence in their official duties. This move follows directives from higher authorities concerned with urban local body governance.
Background of the Suspension
The suspensions were ordered by Vivek Chaudhary, the Additional Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, acting on instructions from the Director-General of Urban Local Bodies. The action stems from poor performance in handling public complaints on the 'Mhari Sadak' portal, a digital platform launched for citizens to report road-related issues.
According to sources, the officials failed to adequately map and address complaints submitted by residents from various wards. The portal was designed to streamline grievance redressal and maintain records, but lapses in its management have led to disciplinary measures.
Review and Displeasure from Higher Authorities
The Director-General of Urban Local Bodies conducted reviews of district performances on February 9 and March 16. During these assessments, Panipat's performance was found to be notably deficient, with no improvement observed over time. This prompted expressions of displeasure from the directorate, highlighting systemic issues in complaint resolution.
MC Commissioner Dr. Pankaj Yadav had previously warned officials to complete the mapping of complaints promptly and upload details to the portal. Despite these warnings, the performance remained subpar, leading to the current suspensions.
Details of the Disciplinary Action
The suspended junior engineers, identified as Shivraj and Rajkumar, have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect. As per the suspension letter, their headquarters will be the MC office, and they are not permitted to leave without explicit permission from the Additional Commissioner.
In addition to the suspensions, show-cause notices have been served to the Chief Engineer and the Executive Engineer concerned. These senior officials are also under scrutiny for their roles in the poor management of the 'Mhari Sadak' portal.
Deadlines and Future Steps
Vivek Chaudhary has mandated that the officials respond to the show-cause notices by March 19. They have been given three days to upload their performance data on the portal. Further actions will be determined based on their replies and compliance with the directives.
This incident underscores the importance of accountability in public service, particularly in digital governance initiatives aimed at enhancing citizen engagement. The Panipat Municipal Corporation's response aims to set a precedent for diligence and efficiency in handling public complaints.
