Panchkula: In the wake of an internal inquiry which exposed serious lapses in workforce management, the MC will introduce biometric attendance and prepare a digital database of sanitation workers, gardeners and beldars.MC commissioner Vinay Kumar ordered the probe, which revealed bogus attendance, missing field staff and municipal employees allegedly deployed at private residences of influential people. Officials said the civic body has around 550 sanitation workers, 80 gardeners and several beldars on its rolls.The inquiry found that more than 60 sanitation workers were not performing civic duties and had instead been working at VIP homes.
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Some gardeners were also discovered to be similarly deployed. These employees have since been recalled and reassigned to field duties across the city.Investigators also uncovered cases of workers drawing salaries despite not being present on the ground, underlining significant gaps in monitoring and accountability.“I was surprised to know we had so many workers on our rolls. To ensure transparency and accountability, I have initiated biometric attendance for sanitation workers, gardeners and beldars. A digital database is also being prepared. This will curb such practices and improve monitoring,” commissioner Vinay Kumar told TOI.Officials said sanitation services have already shown improvement after staff were brought back to their designated duties. The new system is expected to eliminate ghost employees, prevent proxy attendance and ensure workers remain deployed where required, leading to better cleanliness across Panchkula.Meanwhile, sanitation in sectors recently transferred from the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) is yet to improve, as staff transition is still underway. The MC expects the process to be completed soon.Inquiry Findings: MC Workforce Probe–Over 60 sanitation workers found deployed at private residences of VIPs instead of civic duties–Gardeners also discovered working at influential homes rather than assigned public spaces–Several employees were found drawing salaries despite not being present on the ground–Bogus attendance records detected, pointing to proxy marking of duty–Workforce strength revealed to be larger than expected: 550 sanitation workers, 80 gardeners and several beldars on rolls–All errant staff recalled and reassigned to designated field duties across Panchkula
