Kollam district geologist suspended

Thiruvananthapuram: Kollam district geologist Simila Rani S has been placed under suspension after an inspection revealed a huge backlog of files, irregularities in clearance of applications and violations of norms in processing applications. The industries department has also ordered a probe by the joint secretary on the lapses and irregularities pointed out in the inspection report and to submit a report within two months. Alappuzha district geologist has been directed to take up additional responsibility of Kollam district for three days a week.
The department conducted an inspection at the office in November 2022 based on complaints that files were being intentionally delayed at Kollam district office and that many of these files were related to removal of earth for construction of houses.
During the inspection, over 500 files were found pending in the office. There was an inexplicable delay in issuing mineral transit passes and permits for removal of earth. Field inspection was done in applications which were submitted in May 2022 and even for applications related to removal of earth, the decision was delayed for 10-12 months, the inspection revealed.
It was also found that the staff did not properly keep the distribution register and the permit register. There was no way to monitor the stage wise processing of applications and a centralised system to observe the steps in processing of files was not followed in the office.
The report noted that a system which does not have provision to record number of applications being filed,to check whether field inspection was done or not, whether chalan was paid or not, whether these things were recorded in the register, reflects lapses of a serious nature.
The inspection revealed that seniority in processing of files was not complied with and the staff failed to provide a plausible explanation for processing files in non-compliance with the seniority.