Surinder Kaur, a 2014-batch Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officer, who had proceeded on leave in October 2016 to go to the US, continues to remain absent from duty after completion of her leave period in June this year. This is despite the Punjab government’s repeated directions to her to join back immediately .After the state government had in June rejected her request for further extension of leave till December, she has now chosen to approach the state government through Congress MLA from Moga Harjot Kamal Singh. When contacted, the Moga MLA told TOI, “Since she was earlier posted as sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) at Moga and is an honest officer, I have recommended her case for extension of leave on humanitarian grounds.” He added that Kaur had sent him the request through e-mail from the US few days ago.
After putting his recommendatory note along with Kaur’s request, the MLA has forwarded it to chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh.The MLA ad ded that as per his knowledge, PCS officer’s husband and inlaws are settled in America.
Born in 1975, Kaur had joined the PCS on June 26, 2014.She was posted as Moga SDM on July 13, 2014, and was later also handed over the additional charge of commissioner of Moga municipal corporation in June 2015.
A senior functionary in the state government said that Kaur’s application for further extension of leave was rejected in June. “We have also sent her show cause notice and reminder to join back duty immediately. But she is yet to come back,” added the officer. The officer said in case Kaur is not granted extension of leave, she would have to be charge-sheeted.
In the past, there have been many instances where Punjab officers, doctors and other employees had proceeded on ex-India leave and had failed to join back duty . The state government had issued them the charge-sheet in absentia and inquiries were conducted into the misconduct. If the officer failed to appear for the inquiry, their services were terminated ex-parte.
The Punjab government had come up with a policy on June 24, 2016, for ex-India leave since there were no clear guidelines earlier. The policy says that once the officer or employee had preceded on leave abroad, heshe cannot apply for further extension of leave, except on grounds of medical treatment or under unavoidable circumstances.
The policy makes it clear if the officer or employee fails to join back the duty within 15 days after expiry of his leave, he would be issued notice. In case of unsatisfactory reply , further action would be taken against the officer as per the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970. Inquiry would be completed against the officer and final action would be taken within a period of six months, as per the policy.