Jammu, Nov 28: In a strong move against negligence in government offices, Jammu and Kashmir’s Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary has pledged decisive action against absentee employees. This announcement followed an unannounced inspection at the Chief Engineer Public Works Department (PWD) office in Jammu, where nearly 70% of the staff were found missing from duty.
Addressing reporters after the inspection, the Deputy Chief Minister expressed his dissatisfaction with the state of affairs. “We are elected by the people and represent their voice. The era of unaccountability is over; this is the rule of democracy, and every employee must fulfill their responsibilities,” he asserted.
Choudhary revealed that not only were a majority of the staff absent, but some of the present employees attempted to mislead him about the absentees’ whereabouts. “It is shocking and unacceptable. Those found guilty of lying have been suspended with immediate effect,” he said, adding that the Chief Engineer has been summoned to the Secretariat to provide an explanation for the widespread absenteeism and lack of oversight.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to serving the public, the Deputy CM warned that such instances of neglect would not be tolerated. “This is a people’s government, and those who fail to work for the people will face strict consequences. We owe it to our citizens to ensure transparency and efficiency,” he stated firmly.
Choudhary also announced that surprise inspections would continue across various government offices to hold employees accountable and instill a culture of discipline. “We will leave no stone unturned. It seems we will have to visit every office to ensure public service is not compromised,” he remarked.
The Deputy CM’s stern approach reflects a broader push by the government to root out inefficiency and uphold the values of a democratic administration. The inspection and subsequent actions signal a clear message: public servants must meet their obligations to serve the citizens who rely on their work.