Ujjain: While the entire nation mourned the demise of former prime minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Friday, it was a routine working day for Zila Panchayat employees under the leadership of their CEO Sandeep GR.
The Government of India as well as the Government of Madhya Pradesh had announced ‘state mourning’ as mark of respect to the departed dignitary. As per state government’s directive all government offices and institutions were to remain close on Friday. However, the Ujjain Zila Panchayat CEO differed.
While all government offices and institutions of Union and State governments remained closed on Friday, the Zila Panchayat office functioned normally. An officer, on condition of anonymity, told the Free Press that the CEO, who is an IAS officer, personally asked them over phone to report for duty on time. The peons were the first to abide by his order. Other officers too complied and worked till evening. The CEO, personally remained present in his office throughout the day and left only once for lunch.
When a Free Press team visited the Zila Panchayat office at Damdama, around 25 officials and supporting staff were found working. On being asked, CEO Sandeep GR claimed that the office was closed and no public dealing was held on Friday. Meanwhile, divisional commissioner MB Ojha expressed surprise over the incident. He said that nobody can force sub-ordinate staff to work on holiday or during the state mourning declared for Friday.
He assured of action if a complaint was filed in this regard. He also said that additional commissioner would be asked to ascertain the claim and report the matter on Monday. Meanwhile, no work was conducted in courts, banks, etc. Even private institutions remained closed. Most of the commercial establishments also observed bandh to mourn Vajpayee’s death.
Officer believes he is bigger than the govt: MLA
BJP MLA from Tarana Anil Firoziya reacted sharply to the incident. He said that while the nation was mourning the demise of former PM Vajpayee, Zila Panchayat CEO Sandeep GR was forcing the staff to work on the day of state mourning.
“It is a highly shameful incident and reflects the attitude of officers. It seems that he is trying to prove that he is bigger than the government order,” Firoziya said. The MLA also said that the CEO remains absent from office on a normal day and seldom responds to phone calls. Most of the people’s representatives had informed minister in-charge Bhupendra Singh of the officer’s attitude during the recent District Planning Committee meeting, he added.