Assam: Government office in Baksa found shut midday, staff cites ‘tea break’

The functioning of government offices under the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) has come under scrutiny after the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) office at Jalah in Assam’s Baksa district was found closed during working hours. According to reports, the office remained shut until 12:22 PM, raising serious concerns about administrative discipline and public service delivery.

Journalists visiting the premises discovered that no officers or staff were present, and valuable office items were left unattended outside the building. The scene raised eyebrows about the security and functioning of the Social Welfare Department’s crucial field office.

Two staff members eventually arrived at the office but failed to offer a convincing explanation. When questioned by the media about the extended closure, they casually stated that they had gone out for tea. Asked whether leaving the government office completely locked and unmanned during office hours was permissible, the staff responded that they were unaware of any such rules prohibiting it.

Further, the staff reportedly became aggressive towards the journalists, accusing them of overstepping their boundaries while attempting to gather information.

The incident has cast a shadow over the work culture in the BTC region, especially in offices tasked with public welfare. With the Jalah CDPO office being part of the Assam and BTC government’s Social Welfare Department, such negligence has sparked public criticism.

Observers now await whether the BTC administration will initiate corrective action against the erring officials or if such irregularities will persist unchecked in vital government institutions.