Leave work early rule for Ramzan flouted

Santosh Nagar: A constable working at Midhani X Roads in Phisalbanda under the hot sun throughout the day till 6.15 pm almost fainted, and the passersby had to shift to a nearby mosque to take rest. Even though the state government has passed a government order to permit the employees to leave by 4.00 pm, there seems to be no respite for traffic cops on duty.

The GO states that in the holy month of Ramzan, the employees working in the government offices should leave the office by 4.00 pm on all working days for the whole month, but adherence to the order is not witnessed in police department. Even after the circular were passed by the Government, a traffic constable at Midhani X Roads in Phisalbanda was seen doing his duty till 6.15 pm, just 20 min before Iftar.

Ishtiyaq Ahmed, a social activist, said that when he was crossing the road at Phisalbanda for breaking fast, he saw the traffic constable performing his duty at 6.15 pm. Owing to continuously working under hot sun, the constable was seen losing his strength and the commuters took him to the nearby mosque to help him relax.

"Even after the Telangana government passed a circular memo for the government employees, including police, the traffic cop is seen performing his duty just before Iftar. Government officials should strictly adhere to the guidelines and circulars issued by the government, but the higher ups in traffic department seem to be flouting the norms," said Ishtiyaq.

This year's Ramzan fell mostly in May. The hot summer is causing the temperature rise, often more than 40 degree and some of the highest temperatures in the recent years.

Ishtiyaq added that he contacted the Traffic DCP, K Babu Rao, and informed him about the incident. Upon hearing, the DCP spoke to Shaik Abdul Sattar, the constable under Falaknuma Traffic limits, and permitted him to leave for iftar early.

By MM Farooqui