In a strong message aimed at enforcing discipline and punctuality in public administration, Rayagada CollectorAshutosh Kulkarnion Monday barred 12 government officials from participating in a 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 Monday. While the Collector reached the venue on time, several officials failed to arrive as per the stipulated schedule. Taking serious note of the delay, the Collector directed that the late-arriving officials should not be allowed to enter the grievance hearing hall.
Officials from key departments were among those barred from attending the hearing. The action was widely seen as an effort to set an example and reinforce the importance of punctuality, discipline, and accountability among government officials.
The officials who were barred include 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 Collector’s firm action has sparked widespread discussion within administrative circles and among the public, with many viewing it as a clear signal that laxity and indiscipline will not be tolerated in government functioning.
When contacted, Rayagada Project Director Akshaya Kumar Khemundi declined to comment on the incident, stating that queries should be directed to the District Collector. Meanwhile, a staff member present at the grievance hearing, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the incident reflected a broader issue of irregular punctuality among some officials.
