Babus skip poll duty citing ‘sick’ reasons

Hyderabad, April 7: A fairly large number of government employees in the city are “unhealthy.” They are “suffering” from various ailments ranging from asthma to cancer.

Employees of government departments and public sector undertakings are coming out with health excuses to escape poll duty.
Hyderabad district alone requires 26,000 employees for election duty. Of them, 6,000 have skipped election-related training sessions with many claiming to be ill. Some have sent letters to the authorities along with medical certificates while others have presented their case in person. Many “evaders” did not even bother to give any reason for absence.
“Many employees want to escape from election duties. A substantial number of women employees have sought exemption from poll duty stating they have to take care of infants,” an official said.
When contacted, the GHMC additional commissioner, and in-charge of appointing polling personnel in 3,420 polling booths all over the district, Mr Rama Mohan Rao, said show cause notices are being served on 2,000 presiding and assistant presiding officers and 4,000 other employees for not attending election duty training classes on March 29 and April 5.
According to him, the requests for exemption from polling duty on medical grounds can be given only if the contention of the employee is proved beyond doubt. “Election duty is a must and criminal proceedings will be initiated against them for not attending poll duties. They can be suspended from job with immediate effect,” he said.