Latecomer govt officials face Collector action in Odisha’s Rayagada

Coming late to the office proved costly for several government officials in the Rayagada district on Monday, as the District Collector took strict action to enforce punctuality.

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Emphasising discipline and time management, Collector Ashutosh Kulkarni barred as many as 12 officials from participating in the district-level public grievance hearing due to their late arrival.

According to sources, the first district-level grievance redressal meeting of the year was scheduled for today.

While the Collector reached the venue on time, many officials failed to arrive as per the schedule. Taking serious note of the delay, the Collector directed that latecomers should not be allowed inside the grievance hearing hall.

Officials from key departments were among the 12 asked to leave the venue. The decisive action was intended to set an example and reinforce the importance of punctuality among government officials.

Twelve latecomers, who faced the music, are the Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies Janmejaya Mahapatra, Assistant Conservator of Forests Ashok Pradhan, District Social Security Officer Srikanta Panigrahi, District Excise Superintendent Santosh Dhalasamant, District Social Welfare Officer Minati Deo, District Civil Supply Officer Dasarathi Soren, District Chief Information Officer Basanta Pradhan, District Education Officer Shyamaghana Bhuiyan, Block Development Officer Sujit Kumar Mishra, District Industries Officer Chittaranjan Mallik, Rayagada Sub-Collector Ramesh Chandra Jena, and District Panchayat Officer Surya Narayan Maharana.

The District Collector’s visible and firm action against erring officials has sparked widespread discussion and is being seen as a strong message promoting accountability and discipline in public administration.

When contacted, Rayagada PD Akshaya Kumar Khemundi remained tight-lipped and did not divulge much on the incident. “I cannot say anything. No … no,” briefly he stated.

“Better you (the media) please ask the District Collector,” PD Khemundi expressed.

On the condition of anonymity, a staff member present at the grievance hearing said, “This reflects how the officials are punctual. They do not reach the office on time throughout the year. Even during the grievance hearing, they did not arrive on time.”