Shopian: Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Mohammad Shahid Saleem, has directed authorities of district hospital to seek an explanation from the employees who were found absent from duty during a surprise inspection on Wednesday.
According to an official order, a surprise inspection of the District Hospital Shopian on Tuesday morning has uncovered a significant case of absenteeism among the medical and non-medical staff.
The inspection, conducted by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, at 10:10 AM, revealed that out of 198 employees, only 17 were present while 181 employees were found absent without authorization.
The order reads that a biometric attendance report provided by the Medical Superintendent of the hospital confirmed the widespread absenteeism, prompting immediate action from the District Development Commissioner’s office. “The district administration had already issued a circular just the day before, warning that unauthorised absence would result in a deduction of one day’s salary from the concerned employees, which would then be credited to the District Red Cross Society,” the order reads, further observing that the absenteeism was deemed as a significant inconvenience to the public, especially considering the crucial services provided by the hospital.
The Deputy Commissioner, Mohammad Shahid Saleem, expressed strong concerns about the “negligence, delinquency, and irresponsible behaviour” of the absentee staff.
He directed the Medical Superintendent to seek explanations from all the listed employees as to why action should not be taken against them under the relevant provisions of Jammu & Kashmir Civil Services Rules (J&K CSRs).
District Treasury Officer, Shopian, has also been directed to withhold the salaries of the absent staff for the month of November 2024 until further orders.
The Medical Superintendent was asked to submit the explanation, along with comments and recommendations, within three days. “Failure to respond would result in disciplinary actions, including salary deductions as per the earlier circular.”