Chief Secy suspends SDM for negligence

On the complaint of Ropar Deputy Commissioner Dr Preeti Yadav, Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma has suspended Nangal Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Udaydeep Singh Sidhu for remaining absent from duty during floods in the area. Deputy Commissioner Yadav had written a letter on 17 August to Chief Secretary Verma in this regard. Sidhu was posted as Nangal SDM on 14 August.
The day after joining duty, he unfurled the flag at the Independence Day function. The same day, the release of water from Bhakra Dam into the Sutlej led to floods in several areas of Nangal and Anandpur Sahib. According to the suspension orders, the Deputy Commissioner’s letter mentioned that the SDM was absent from duty during an emergency situation and did not bother to coordinate rescue work with other officials present. In his absence, the charge of Nangal SDM was handed over to field officer Amanjot Kaur. The Dail Guardian possesses a copy of orders of PCS officer suspension. However, Sidhu claims he was on medical leave due to spine problems for a while. He only went to unfurl the flag on Independence Day on “the insistence of authorities” and even visited some flood-affected villages but could not stay for long due to severe discomfort, he added.