Latecomer Officers Barred from Rayagada Grievance Hearing

Rayagada: Coming late to duty proved embarrassing for several district-level officers in Odisha’s Rayagada on Monday after the District Collector barred them from entering the public grievance hearing for failing to report on time.

The incident occurred during the first district-level public grievance redressal programme of the year, held at the Zilla Parishad conference hall at the district headquarters. The hearing was scheduled to begin at 10 am, and District Collector Ashutosh Kulkarni reached the venue on time.

However, the absence of several senior officers at the start of the programme immediately drew the Collector’s attention. Taking a serious view of the lapse, he instructed security personnel and staff not to allow any late-arriving officers into the grievance hearing hall. Even the Rayagada Sub-Collector was reportedly denied entry for arriving after the scheduled time.

Among those stopped from entering were the District Excise Superintendent, District Panchayat Officer, District Social Security Officer, District Social Welfare Officer, District Information and Public Relations Officer, Rayagada Block Development Officer (BDO), an Assistant Conservator of Forests, officials of the Rural Drinking Water Supply department, and several others.

Following the Collector’s directive, the officers were made to wait in the nearby Innovation Cell, leading to an uncomfortable situation. The grievance hearing continued for over an hour, during which the officers remained outside the hall.

Officials said the Collector’s action was in line with the BJP-led state government’s instructions to accord top priority to public grievance redressal and to take strict action against negligence or indiscipline by officials.

The firm move sent a strong message across the district administration, reinforcing the importance of punctuality, accountability, and responsiveness in public service.

Several grievance petitioners present at the venue welcomed the decision, stating that strict discipline among government officials is essential for the effective resolution of public complaints.