RAWALPINDI, March 31: The district government on Monday constituted five committees to check absenteeism and habitual latecomers in departments dealing with the public.

District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani, in a letter notifying the constitution of committees, said: “It has been noted with great concern that despite repeated observations and warnings, the officials and other staff of district government departments have failed to observe punctuality and office timings.”

Official sources said the problem was more evident in health, education, agriculture, and excise and taxation departments.

During surprise visits to education and excise and taxation departments last week, the Nazim found 159 employees absent from the duty, they added.

They said the absent employees were served show cause notices, however the action failed to correct the situation. Reports suggest that the practice still continues, they added.

The body which would look after the excise and taxation department, where maximum number of absentees were found during the visit, would be headed by the executive district officer (revenue).

A committee headed by EDO (IT) would monitor the health department. Senior administrative officer would be the head of the body, which had been assigned the education department. The committee, which would observe the agriculture department, would be headed by deputy district officer (coordination).

Meanwhile, deputy district officers (revenue) would monitor the situation in rural health centres, basic health units and education institutions of the respective tehsils.

A special pro forma has been prepared on which these committees and officials would submit the report.