Allegations of ignoring govt working hours: Rajapur Public Health engineer not found at office before noon
Rajapur (Jhalakati) Correspondent
Despite strict instructions from the Ministry of Public Administration and the Cabinet Division regarding proper adherence to government working hours, Farhana Islam, Deputy Assistant Engineer of the Rajapur Upazila Public Health Engineering Department of Jhalakati, has been accused of regularly coming to the office late. According to government instructions, officials and employees are supposed to perform their duties according to the prescribed working hours from 9 am to 5 pm. There is also a provision for departmental action under the Government Employees Act if the instructions are not followed.
Locals complain that Farhana Islam comes to the office much later than the scheduled time almost every day. Sometimes she is seen in the office after 10 am, sometimes around 11 am or 12 pm. To verify the truth of the complaint, on Sunday (June 21), when she went to the Rajapur Upazila Public Health Engineering Department office around 10:30 am, her office room was found locked. Later, it is learned that she came to the office after 12 pm.
Local resident Bulbul Ahmed said, “Every time I have gone to the office, I have never found him. When I asked the officials, some said they did not know, while others said he was in the field or on site.” Several locals, who did not want to be named, complained, “He comes and goes to the office at his convenience. No one wants to say anything against him. As a result, the common people are being deprived of necessary services.”
When contacted on Farhana Islam's mobile phone to inquire about the complaint of her coming late to the office, she refused to comment and hung up. She did not answer the phone despite repeated attempts to contact her.
Khandaker Ershaduzzaman Mridul, executive engineer of the Jhalokati District Public Health Engineering Department, said, "According to government rules, one must be present at the office at the appointed time. Even if he comes late, his room is not supposed to be locked. The matter will be investigated and necessary action will be taken."
