Punjab's chief secretary suspends Nangal SDM, due to negligence during recent floods

Nangal, August 29: On Tuesday, Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma has suspended Nangal Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Udaydeep Singh Sidhu for being absent from duty during floods in the area. Ropar Deputy Commissioner Dr Preeti Yadav had written a letter on August 17 to the chief secretary in this regard.

Because Nangal Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Udaydeep Singh Sidhu neglected to report for duty while the area was experiencing flooding, Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma has suspended Sidhu. On August 17, Dr Preeti Yadav, the deputy commissioner for Ropar, sent a letter to the chief secretary with this request.

On August 14, Sidhu was appointed as Nangal SDM. He raised the flag during the Independence Day event after reporting for duty the following day. Flooding occurred in numerous districts of Nangal that day as a result of water being released from Bhakhra Dam into the Sutlej.

According to suspension orders, Ropar deputy commissioner had written a letter to the chief secretary on August 17 stating that the SDM was absent from duty during emergency situation and did not bother to co-ordinate with other officials for rescue work. In his absence, the charge of Nangal SDM was handed over to chief minister field officer Amanjot Kaur.

While deputy commissioner Yadav did not pick her phone, Sidhu said he was on medical leave due to pain in his spine for long. He only went to unfurl the flag on Independence Day on the insistence of authorities and even visited some flood-affected villages but could not stay for long due to severe pain, said Sidhu.

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