Fine of Rs 1.35 Lakh on vehicles violating traffic rules

A fine of Rs 84,000 was imposed on 80 employees found unauthorisedly absent during inspection of offices last week, apart from suspension of one teacher and warning to rest of the 79 employees.

Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary convened a meeting of the absentees and heads of concerned departments to review the explanations furnished by the absentees and initiate action under Civil Services Rules.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Angrez Singh Rana, Nodal Officer for discipline in Government offices was also present in the meeting. Explanation of each employee was examined and found devoid of merit and justifications.

The Disciplinary Committee issued written warnings to the erring officials and disciplinary action in case of repeated unauthorized absence. A fine of Rs 1,000 each was received from the absentees and same donated to District Red Cross Society for welfare of poor, destitute, accident victims and affected families during natural disasters. A teacher found absent from duty and making Jalebis in a school was placed under suspension and was charged with a fine of Rs 5,000 which was donated to Red Cross.

The employees of office of Executive Engineer EM&RE divisions, Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies, Animal Husbandry, Education and Municipal Council were found absent from duty during inspection by Addl DC Angrez Singh Rana.

The DC directed the district officers to frequently check attendance in their subordinate offices and ensure proper maintenance of attendance register and departure register as per circular instructions issued already and no post-facto justifications will be entertained. He added that fine of Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,000 which has been charged upon Gazetted and Non-Gazetted employees for unauthorised absence will be donated towards Red Cross as a social cost which is in addition to the regular action warranted under Civil Services Rules.

Meanwhile, ARTO Rajesh Gupta realised a fine of Rs 1,35,500 from vehicles indulged in violation of traffic rules in Udhampur.