Token Penalty Sparks Dialogue: PWD Officer Fined for Absenteeism

A Public Works Department officer in Tounidevi was penalized Rs 5 for neglecting Panchayat Samiti meetings for four years. The fine aims to remind officers of their duties and its record in his annual report. Meeting discussions included the 15th Finance Commission budget and development planning.

In Tounidevi, a Public Works Department officer faced a Rs 5 fine for four years of absenteeism from Panchayat Samiti meetings. This decision was announced during a quarterly meeting on Monday, as stated by Harish Sharma, the Panchayat Samiti chairman, on Tuesday.

The fine serves as a symbolic reminder of the officer's responsibilities and will be noted in his annual confidential report. The meeting also covered discussions on the 15th Finance Commission budget and future development plans, with key figures like BDC Vice President Sanjeev Sharma and BDO Himanshi Sharma in attendance.

According to Sharma, the officer's recurring absences were hindering departmental progress. Despite repeated warnings, the absences persisted, leading to the fine being imposed with unanimous support from committee members. Meanwhile, Devraj, the Executive Engineer of PWD Mandal, claimed unawareness of the meeting and plans to verify if his office received prior notification.

(With inputs from agencies.)