Minister orders action against unpunctual officers

Directs for issuing show-cause notices, deduction of salaries

KARACHI: Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani has said that if officers and staff don't want to perform their duties, they can go home. "If any employee thinks that due to his political affiliations he can continue not working and still keep getting a salary, this will not happen."

The minister expressed these views on Monday during a surprise visit to the Civic Centre at 9am.

Looking at the dismal attendance at the offices of Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Karachi Development Authority (KDA) and Lyari Development Authority (LDA), Ghani directed for show-cause notices to be issued to the officers, including the SBCA director-general (DG). He added that a day's salary also be deducted from their pay and a report of the details be submitted to him.'



When the minister reached the SBCA office, neither DG Iftikhar Qaimkhani nor other officers were present. Expressing his displeasure, he directed municipality secretary to issue show cause-notices to the DG and the officers and deduct a day's salary of those absent.

When Ghani visited KDA's head office, DG Sami Siddiqi and few other directors were present, however, many officers were absent. The minister called for attendance registers and marked the missing employees absent. He also directed Siddiqi to issue show cause notice to the absent directors and officers and submit a list of their names. He also directed that a day's salary be deducted from their pay. Expressing his dismay, he said that if after a period of four months the officers and staff don't show up for their duties on time, then they should stay at home.

"If anyone thinks that they are safe under the political umbrella, then I should clarify that no matter which political party they belong to, they won't be given any relaxation and they will have to report to duty on their designated time," he said. "The next time I visit and officers and staff aren't in, instead of show cause notices and salary deduction, I will have to fire them."

Ghani directed the KDA DG and other directors to ensure regularity and punctuality of employees in their departments. He also directed them to compile and submit a report of those who continue to come late or not at all so that legal action could be taken against them.

At the LDA's head office, Ghani again found that a large number of employees and officers were absent, although the LDA DG had taken a medical leave. The minister ordered to compile a list of absent employees, issue them show cause notices and deduct money from their salaries. "Employees and officers have assumed that I cannot come early in the morning. Let me clarify that I will come whenever I want and if I find employees absent, they will be sent home".

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2019.