Bhubaneswar: There has been a rising trend in unauthorised visits by field officials in Odisha to offices in the state headquarters, forcing the government to act.
All district collectors have been directed to issue warnings to Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) and Odisha Revenue Service (ORS) officers, instructing them to refrain from visiting Lok Seva Bhawan, the state secretariat, and headquarters of other government departments without prior approval.
The message has been conveyed via a strongly-worded letter from the state Revenue and Disaster Management department, addressed to the district collectors, reported IANS.
The Revenue and Disaster Management department expressed concern over a number of officers remaining absent from their headquarters without authorisation and frequently being found in the corridors of Lok Seva Bhawan and other state offices in Bhubaneswar, without approval from competent authority.
“This is a matter of serious concern as such officers remain absent from their respective headquarters/stations without authorisation and headquarters leaving permission from the Competent Authority and are found dealing with personal matters during official working hours, as a result of which the general public is being deprived of getting timely disposal of revenue-related services,” the Revenue department noted.
The collectors have been asked to caution the erring officers, and warn them of stringent disciplinary action against those found indulging in such practices in future.
“Therefore, you are requested to issue warning to such officers and refrain them from such practices. In case any such instance is noticed in future, the Government will take it very seriously and necessary disciplinary action, as deemed proper, shall be initiated against such officers. This should be treated as extremely important and intimated to all your subordinate officers under your control,” warned the department.