Haryana RTS Commission slaps ₹20k fine on Junior Engineer for violations

The Haryana Right to Service (RTS) Commission has fined a junior engineer (JE) from Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) ₹20,000 and recommended disciplinary measures against other senior officers for mishandling a complaint related to the shifting of an electricity meter.

Commission's decision and recommendations

During a hearing on April 5 led by RTS chief commissioner TC Gupta, action was announced against the JE and his superiors. The case involved Kuldeep Singh Nehra, an executive engineer (XEN) from the Rewari division of DHBVN, along with Jatin Kumar, a sub-divisional officer (SDO), and JE Surendrer Sharma from the Rewari subdivision.

Despite the absence of JE Surender Sharma and appellant Saroj Yadav during the hearing, the commission imposed a ₹20,000 fine on Surender Sharma for negligence. Additionally, instructions were issued to the XEN to compensate the complainant with ₹5,000 from the deducted fine.

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The commission also highlighted the negligence of SDO Jatin Kumar, who opted for a simple solution by transferring Surender's responsibilities to another JE instead of taking appropriate action against him. The commission recommended that the energy department initiate disciplinary proceedings against SDO Jatin Kumar. The state government is expected to review the commission's recommendations and provide updates on actions taken within 30 days.

Further action against XEN Nehra

XEN Nehra was also held accountable for his failure to comply with orders and was deemed negligent in discharging his duties. Despite his apology during the hearing, disciplinary action was not proposed against him. Instead, his behavior has been reported to the managing director of DHBVN for potential action deemed necessary.

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The RTS Commission's actions underscore its commitment to accountability and transparency in public service delivery. By penalizing negligence and recommending disciplinary measures against erring officials, the commission aims to uphold the rights of citizens and ensure the efficient functioning of government departments. The state government's response to the commission's recommendations will determine the next steps in addressing the shortcomings highlighted in this case.