Dhaka: Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Md. Abdus Salam today ordered punitive actions against truant employees as he found 25 percent of the staff absent during a surprise visit to municipal body's regional office-5. 'He asked officials concerned to take punitive actions against the absentees following relevant rules,' a DSCC spokesman said.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Salam went to its Sayedabad regional office using his personal car at 8.30 am but stayed outside for 30 minutes to observe the arrival of officers and employees before entering inside. The administrator then ordered the main gate to be closed to prevent latecomers' entry and inspected every room of the office alongside checking the attendance register when he figured out the scenario.
'He expressed strong dissatisfaction over this irregularity and negligence and directed Regional Executive Officer Akter Unnesa Shiuli to take immediate action against the absentees in accordance with service rules,' the statement said. DSCC offices generally start at 9:00 am and end at 5:00 pm.
The administrator later visited DSCC Ward No. 11 area at the Shahjahanpur where he found as well the absence of cleanliness workers and directed Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukder to investigate the matter and take legal actions.
In a subsequent move, Salam directly led an eviction campaign to free the footpaths from Pir Jangi's Mazar to Ideal School at Motijheel and Dainik Bangla to Bangabhaban from illegal occupants, who set up makeshift shops and temporary structures on walkways. 'The slightest act of negligence or indifference in providing services will not be tolerated,' the statement quoted him as saying.
Salam said he would continue to carry on such surprise visits to maintain discipline in service delivery.