Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 30 May 2024
The Assistant Commissioner Office in Campbell Bay, a pivotal government establishment in Great Nicobar, has recently come under scrutiny due to frequent absenteeism among its staff during early office hours of the day, particularly revenue officials. This office also accommodates the Tehsildar, Patwari, and Surveyor, crucial roles for local administrative and revenue-related tasks.
Several citizens have expressed frustration over the unavailability of staff during early office hours. A concerned resident reported to the Nicobar Times that no revenue officials were present at the office even after 10:00 AM today.
The official working hours for all Andaman and Nicobar Administration offices are from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with a half-hour lunch break from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM.
An investigation by the Nicobar Times revealed a significant staff shortage at the AC Office. The Block Development Officer (BDO) of Campbell Bay is currently doubling as the Tehsildar, splitting his time between his primary duties in the morning and the Tehsildar’s responsibilities in the afternoon. Additionally, the Surveyor is on leave without any replacement, and the Patwari has extensive field duties, further exacerbating the issue.
This staffing crisis affects numerous residents who rely on the AC Office for revenue-related services, particularly those from the Laxmi Nagar Panchayat. These residents often depend on STS buses for transportation and face significant inconvenience when required to visit the office in the afternoon.
There is an urgent need for the administration to ensure that revenue officials are available to the public, especially during the early hours of the office day, to accommodate those traveling from distant areas. Additionally, it is imperative for the available staff to adhere strictly to the prescribed office timings set by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to prevent further disruptions in service.
The community’s needs must be prioritized to maintain the efficient functioning of this essential government establishment.