Haryana Right to Service panel fines Karnal DPO over negligence

The Haryana Right to Service Commission has taken a strict stance over serious negligence and disorder found in the office of the District Programme Officer (DPO), Karnal.

The Commission clarified that due to lack of coordination between subordinate staff and the DPO office, and the failure to issue timely directions, a beneficiary could not be provided the benefit of the scheme within the stipulated time limit, which led to a violation of the Haryana Right to Service Act, 2014.

The Commission described the functioning of the DPO office as disorganised and made it clear that it is the responsibility of the office head to ensure timely and effective operations, said a spokesperson.

The Commission, finding the Karnal DO-cum-DPO, guilty under the Act, has imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on him and ordered payment of Rs 5,000 compensation to the appellant. The amount will be deducted from his salary for September 2025.

The fine will be deposited in the state treasury and the compensation will be transferred directly to the appellant’s bank account.

The Commission has directed the Director General, Women and Child Development Department, to ensure deduction and payment of the amount and submit a compliance report to the Commission by October 13.

Along with this, the Commission has also directed the DG to deposit the scheme amount into the appellant’s account by September 5 and to provide comprehensive training to field staff on the e-Kuber system, so that beneficiaries do not face unnecessary delays or inconvenience in the future.