Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has expressed strong displeasure over the increasing number of unauthorised visits by field-level officers to government offices in Bhubaneswar. In response, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department has directed all District Collectors to issue warnings to erring Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) and Odisha Revenue Service (ORS) officers.
According to a circular issued by the department, officers have been found frequently absent from their headquarters without permission and are often seen loitering in the corridors of Lok Seva Bhawan—the state secretariat—and other state government offices in the capital.
“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,” noted the revenue dept.
The directive warns that strict disciplinary action will be taken against any officers found indulging in such practices in the future. District Collectors have been instructed to treat the matter with utmost seriousness and communicate the directive to all subordinate officers.
“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.
