UP: Surprise checks find 10 DMs missing at ‘janta durbars’, govt mulls action

LUCKNOW: The government on Thursday launched a surveillance drive on top bureaucrats, who often skip the 9am ‘janta durbar’ and found 10 of the 75 district magistrates missing on Thursday.
Showcause notices will be slapped on these DMs as well as six SSPs and SPs, who too were found absent when random calls were made to check attendance.
The surprise check followed two notices issued by the chief minister to DMs, SSPs and SPs in June, directing them to be in office by 9am every day and attend to people’s grievances. Those guilty of violating the order would face strict action, including a pay cut, government sources told TOI.
Late Wednesday, the chief minister asked the home department to carry out a surprise check on officers.
On Thursday morning, nine officers were assigned to make calls on landlines of all the 75 DMs, SSPs and SPs.
A senior official said the calls were made between 9.30 am and 10 am.
Ten DMs and six SSPs and SPs were not present for the janta durbar, said a top government official. Talking to TOI, he said, “the CM had made it clear that he would not brook indiscipline, but he kept receiving complaints about officers missing at janta darbar,” said a senior official.
While the absentee list of SSPs and SPs has been sent to the director general of police, action against 10 DMs is on the anvil.
A senior officer said perpetual offenders were likely to face very strict action.
“This was also not a one-off inspection. To ensure discipline in the bureaucracy, more surprise checks will be carried out,” said the officer.