Officials missing at Gwalior foundation event:Minister furious, commissioner called, zonal officer suspended over negligence

In Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Narayan Singh Kushwah expressed strong anger on Friday during a road foundation-laying ceremony after no municipal officials were present at the event. The programme was held in Ward-52, but no responsible officer from the municipal corporation attended. Only a pump operator was present at the site. An irked minister immediately called Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sanghpriya and said, “A minister-level person is sitting here and no official is present; this is a direct insult.” Following the minister’s call, the municipal commissioner immediately suspended Zonal Officer Saurabh Shakya. During suspension, his headquarters will remain with the Public Works Department, while additional charge has been given to junior engineer Brijesh Rajput. Minister gave ultimatum to officer Minister Kushwah said, “What kind of joke is this? Only a pump operator is standing here. Remove the ZO immediately. If you cannot remove him, tell me; I will not speak to you. The ZO is incompetent; I have said this earlier too.” Several complaints against Zone Officer Investigations revealed that multiple complaints were already pending against the zonal officer. He was accused of not timely resolving CM Helpline complaints, failing to act on illegal road digging in Ward-55, and not conducting regular inspections of his area. He was also absent from the foundation-laying event despite prior information. Such cases were also raised in the Assembly Incidents of officials ignoring public representatives have been reported earlier in Gwalior as well. Councillors have raised protests during municipal meetings, and the issue has even reached the state assembly. Ministers including Energy Minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar and Water Resources Minister Tulsi Silawat have also stated in the House that officials often do not listen to them.