Jain directs Chief Secy to deduct salary of late-coming officers

NEW DELHI: Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain has written to Chief Secretary (CS) Anshu Prakash directing him to take disciplinary action against officers coming late to office including deducting their salary. Jain accused the officers of creating ‘hindrance' in the work of the AAP government. This may trigger another round of tussle between the AAP government and the bureaucracy. The two are at loggerheads over the alleged assault on the chief secretary in February.

Jain's direction came after it was found during random inspection of attendance in various branches of the Urban Development Department that 11 officials were absent even after 10:20 am on May 4 and most of the senior officers were not present in their seats. In the letter to Prakash, the minister alleged that the quantum of work being delivered by the officers is "very less", and "undoubtedly" this is a result of the decision of the officers to not let the government function properly. Since the alleged assault on the chief secretary, bureaucrats have been boycotting meetings, except Cabinet meetings, with AAP ministers in solidarity with the CS.

The agitation by the officers has entered the second level where more and more hindrances are being cre- ated for bringing the already snail-paced work to a halt. Necessary directions need to be issued in this regard to all the officers and officials to be punctual and regular in attending their offices, Jain said. He said the officials should be also directed to let the government function, the way it should for the benefit of the people.

"In case the officers/officials are not interested in attending the office or/and showing the results by the quantum of work produced, there should not be any hesitation in taking disciplinary action besides deducting their corresponding remuneration," Jain said in a communication to the chief secretary.