In a surprise check conducted at the rural development department office in Mohali in Punjab Tuesday, 146 officers and other staff were found absent.
"A team led by Special Secretary (Personnel) Gurpreet Sapra inspected the office of Director, Rural Development and Panchayat and Joint Development Commissioner in Mohali today at 9.20 a.m. The team was there for 30 minutes. It found 146 officers/officials absent from their seats," a state government spokesman said.
Those found absent included a deputy director, law officers, superintendent engineers, executive engineers and other cadres.
Punjab Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal has ordered Financial Commissioner, Rural Development and Panchayat, M.S. Sandhu to seek explanation from the absentees and take necessary action within seven days, the spokesman said.