On March 29, 2020, the home ministry suspended two senior Delhi government officers on Sunday while two other officials were issued show-cause notice for dereliction of duty during the nationwide lockdown imposed to contain Covid-19 spread.
The Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department and the Principal Secretary of Finance, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) and Divisional Commissioner were suspended with immediate effect, while the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home and Land Buildings Departments and SDM Seelampur were issued a show-cause notice for "failing to ensure public health and safety during the lockdown”.
"It has been brought to the notice of the competent authority that the following officers, who were responsible to ensure strict compliance to the instructions issued by Chairperson, National Executive Committee, formed under Disaster Management Act 2005 regarding containment of the spread of Covid-19, have prima facie failed to do so," the Home Ministry said.
"These officers have failed to ensure public health and safety during the lockdown restrictions to combat Covid-19. Due to the serious lapse in performance of their duties, the competent authority has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the following officers," the ministry further said.
The Central government has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the four officers of GNCTD for dereliction of duty regarding containment of the spread of COVID-19, the spokesperson said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown on Tuesday in a bid to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic.
There was a serious lapse in the functioning of their duty and disciplinary action has been initiated by the competent authority against the following officers;
- 1. Additional Chief Secretary, Transport Department, GNCTD - Suspended with immediate effect.
- 2. Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Land Buildings Departments, GNCTD - Show Cause Notice.
- 3. Principal Secretary, Finance, GNCTD & Divisional Commissioner, GNCTD - Suspended with immediate effect.
- 4. SDM Seelampur - Show Cause Notice.
Author: Asif Iqbal
