Two Rohtak district officers skip minister's meeting, issued notices

Explanation has been sought from the District Forest Officer (DFO) and District Food and Supplies Controller (DFSC) for not being present at the monthly meeting of the District Grievances Committee held here today.

Haryana Minister for Development, Panchayats, Mining and Geology Krishan Lal Panwar, who presided over the meeting, expressed resentment over the district officers skipping the meeting, following which notices were issued to them.

The minister warned the heads of all government department to be present at meetings of the District Grievances Committee in future, failing which they would be placed under suspension.

"Notices have been issued to the DFO and DFSC over their absence from the meeting. Their explanation has been sought regarding the matter," Rohtak DC Dhirendra Khadgata told The Tribune.

The DC said the DFO had come for the meeting, but had to leave as he had to attend a video-conference regarding a high court case, while the DFSC had gone for an inspection of local mandis.

"The minister has been apprised of the reasons behind the absence of the officers. Their replies will be sent to the state authorities," the DC said.

The minister, however, maintained that the officers should have informed the DC about their inability to attend the meeting in advance.

Panwar also directed the officers concerned to hear and redress the grievances of residents properly. In all, 13 complaints were taken up during the meeting, of which eight were disposed of on the spot.

Apart from residents, Rajya Sabha MP Ram Chander Jangra, Rohtak MLA Bharat Bhushan Batra, Kalanaur MLA Shakuntala Khatak and Meham MLA Balram Dangi also aired the grievances of their areas before the minister.

Panwar assured them that prompt and effective action would be taken on their complaints.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, the minister said "firnis" (passages encircling villages) of 1,000 villages of the state would be cemented and streetlights would be installed there.

"E-libraries will also be established in 1,000 villages and 6,000 village ponds will be renovated," he stated.

In response to a query, the minister remarked that former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda should not worry about the BJP, but about his own party which was yet to finalise the Leader of Opposition.

"They are blaming the EVMs for their defeat as they want to keep the morale of their workers high," he claimed.