Odisha: 12 Officers Barred from Grievance Hearing For Late Arrival in Rayagada

In a clear message on discipline and accountability, the Collector barred the officials from participating in the district-level public grievance redressal hearing after they failed to arrive on time. The meeting was the first such grievance hearing of the new year.

Sources said the Collector reached the venue as per schedule, but several officers from key departments turned up late. Taking serious note of the delay, Kulkarni directed that latecomers would not be allowed entry into the grievance hearing hall, leaving them out of the crucial public interaction.

Officials who faced action included deputy registrar of co-operative societies Janmejaya Mahapatra, assistant conservator of forests Ashok Pradhan, district social security officer Srikanta Panigrahi, district excise superintendent Santosh Dhalasamant, district social welfare officer Minati Deo, district civil supplies officer Dasarathi Soren, district chief information officer Basanta Pradhan, district education officer Shyamaghana Bhuiyan, block development officer Sujit Kumar Mishra, district industries officer Chittaranjan Mallik, Rayagada Sub-Collector Ramesh Chandra Jena and district panchayat officer Surya Narayan Maharana.

The Collector’s visible and uncompromising action sparked widespread discussion within administrative circles, with many viewing it as a strong signal to enforce time discipline and responsiveness in public service delivery.

When contacted, Project Director (PD), Rayagada, Akshaya Kumar Khemundi declined to comment on the incident. “I cannot say anything… no, no,” he said briefly, adding, “It would be better if you ask the District Collector.”