Errant public servants taken to task

by Mohammed Naalir

The Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry has taken steps to set up a Inquiry Division in each District Secretariat Office, Ministry sources said. The help of newly appointed graduates will also be obtained to expedite the inquiries, according to sources.

The sources said that if public service in the District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats were not satisfactory, to complain over the hot line 1905 or to make complaint in writing to D.H. Hettiarachchi, Senior Assistant Secretary, Inquiry Division, Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry, Colombo.

Last year 425 complaints were made to this Division. During the investigation process 178 complaints were proved as false complaints, the sources said

The sources said that the Ministry received 209 complaints against Divisional Secretaries and 145 complaints against the Grama Niladaris who failed to do the public service perfectly.

18 persons have been charge sheeted while 16 persons have been called for explanations, the Ministry sources said.Inquiries were held on the guidance and Directive of Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne. Nine persons have been transferred and 75 complaints have been identified. Accordingly 154 complaints in relation to misusing power and 101 against behaving in the manner to create inconvenience to people.

The highest number of complaints have been received from Anuradhapura, Badulla and Colombo districts.