Ajay Sharma
Sunderbani, Nov 13: Following the reports by ‘The Northlines’ highlighting an absentee Lab Technician receiving a regular salary, the concerned NRHM employee has now returned to duty.
According to sources, ‘The Northlines’ report shed light on alleged irregularities in the attendance and salary payments of a Lab Technician with the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), prompting changes in response.
“The technician has resumed duty, yet questions persist regarding oversight and accountability in the local health administration,” sources said, noting that concerns are now focused on the Director of Health and the Commissioner of Health, with both the public and officials seeking an answer on how the technician received regular salary payments despite absenting for years with invariable or token appearance in office where either biometric attendance system was missing or system manipulated.
Sources indicate that there are calls for a thorough investigation to confirm if this official was indeed absent, as suggested by data from phone locations and potential CCTV footage from sub-district hospitals.
“Health officials must address potential lapses in oversight. Questions remain as to whether any senior official will take steps to check CCTV footage or verify attendance logs against the technician’s biometric records,” sources added, pointing out concerns that previous reports may have been overlooked, leaving important files and records unexamined.
Local residents have expressed skepticism regarding the local administration’s commitment to enforcing accountability.
“The investigation may also cover the blacklisted Medical Officer of Sunderbani, who faces allegations of manipulating the biometric system,” sources said.
Residents have urged Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma to take decisive action and ensure that responsibility is assigned, so such officials cannot exploit the system further.
