SDMs not allowed to attend private events during duty hours in Shimla without permission

Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, Anupam Kashyap today directed all Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) to not attend private events during duty hours. He said that many people from remote and far-flung areas of the district visit SDM offices for various works and in such a situation, the absence of SDMs cause inconvenience to them. “SDMs need to seek prior permission from him if they wish to attend any such event,” he added.

Kashyap, while chairing a district-level meeting to discuss issues related to the Revenue Department, said that the visiting reports of the schools adopted by the officers must be sent to his office immediately. “Along with this, all officers and employees must reach their offices before 10 am,” he added.

He directed all SDMs to gather information about the current status of Forest Rights Act committees in their respective jurisdictions. He instructed them to keep a track of the status of the proposals sent after the committee meetings. Besides, he added that committees must be constituted immediately in areas where they had not yet been formed. “Any doubts related to the Forest Rights Act should be brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner’s office within the next two days,” he added.

The Deputy Commissioner instructed the SDMs to issue strict guidelines regarding the staff behaviour in schools and colleges. “There should be no incidents of corporal punishment or misconduct against children in schools. It is essential for all schools to have a Prevention of Sexual Harassment Committee. Several incidents that have been reported in schools are shameful. Therefore, the SDMs must act strictly to completely prevent such incidents from happening in the future,” he added.

He instructed all SDMs to issue challans against illegal mining and conduct surprise inspections of crushers operating within their jurisdiction. “Illegal mining will not be tolerated under any circumstances in the district. The SDMs should also check chemicals used for blasting from time to time. Moreover, prior administrative permission is mandatory before carrying out any blasting activity,” he added.

Kashyap said that as part of the ongoing anti-drug awareness campaign in the state, rallies would be organised at the sub-divisional level within the next five days. “All stakeholders must be involved in this rally, which should last only 30 to 45 minutes and no additional time will be permitted,” he added.