Kumhari CMO suspended for slow work, negligence

Raipur: After a surprise inspection last week revealed disorganization, incomplete documents, slow pace and negligence in carrying out works for PMAY, AMRUT and ‘Sushasan Tihar' campaigns, the CMO of Kumhari municipality was suspended by the state govt.

The official reportedly failed to provide any satisfactory response and the Chhattisgarh govt took stern action following the discovery of negligence and slow progress in work, suspending the chief municipal officer (CMO) with immediate effect. This action came after deputy chief minister Arun Sao's surprise inspection of the Kumhari Municipality office, where he found delays, indiscipline, poor record-keeping, and negligence in assigned tasks, leading to a reprimand of the CMO.

Deputy CM Sao expressed his dissatisfaction with the slow progress of works under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the AMRUT Mission. He was also displeased with the tardy disposal of applications received during the ongoing ‘Sushasan Tihar' (Good Governance Festival).

During his surprise inspection of the Kumhari Municipality office on May 9, Sao noted that the attendance of most officers and employees was not recorded in the attendance register and the Nistha app. Upon inspecting the municipal accounts, the cash book register and ledger were found to be incomplete.

The progress of the drinking water situation in the civic body, the AMRUT Mission, and the Atal Complex construction was extremely slow as well. Similarly, the progress of revenue collection, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, other construction works, and the disposal of applications in the Sushasan Tihar were also put off and not addressed adequately, officials said. During the surprise inspection and review of works, CMO Netram Chandrakar failed to provide satisfactory responses to the deputy CM. His language and demeanour were also reportedly inappropriate.

Taking a serious view of the conduct of Kumhari nunicipality chief municipal officer Netram Chandrakar, the state govt suspended him with immediate effect, considering his actions as gross misconduct. During the suspension period, his headquarters will be the joint director, Regional Office, Durg. He will be entitled to subsistence allowance as per rules during the suspension period.

During his surprise inspection of the Kumhari Municipality office on May 9, Sao also directed disciplinary action against the absent officers and employees.