Paonta Sahib: Naib Tehsildar, 8 staff members on leave for Jaisalmer trip
Naib Tehsildar allegedly went on leisure trip while officially remaining on medical leave | Office work hit, SDM issues show-cause notice after their photographs, videos surface on social media
Serious questions have been raised over administrative discipline in Sirmaur district following an incident at the Majra sub-tehsil office under the Paonta Sahib subdivision, where a Naib Tehsildar allegedly went on a leisure trip while officially remaining on medical leave. Eight members of his staff, who were also reportedly on casual leave, are said to have accompanied him.
The matter came to light after photographs and videos of the officer and his colleagues vacationing in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, surfaced on social media. While official records showed the Naib Tehsildar as unwell and on sanctioned medical leave, the viral visuals depicted the group enjoying tourist spots in the desert city. The alleged misconduct brought the functioning of the Majra sub-tehsil office to a virtual standstill, forcing villagers from remote areas to return home disappointed after waiting for hours without their work being attended to.
Following the exposure, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Paonta Sahib) Gunjeet Singh Cheema adopted a strict stance and issued show-cause notices to Naib Tehsildar Inder Kumar and the entire staff reportedly accompanying him on the trip, seeking detailed explanations.
The controversy has deepened further with questions being raised over how nearly the entire office staff managed to secure leave simultaneously, paralysing essential public services. In this connection, Ravindra Sisodia, Naib Tehsildar, Paonta Sahib, who was additionally holding the charge of Majra sub-tehsil office, has also been served a notice and asked to explain the circumstances under which such mass absence was permitted and casual leave for eight staff members was approved.
The incident has triggered widespread public anger in the region, with residents demanding not only a departmental inquiry but also stringent action against officials accused of gross negligence of duty. Locals argue that such conduct seriously undermines public trust in governance, particularly in rural areas.
