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Business Recorder
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
LHC explains how a govt servant absent from duty can be sacked
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has held that a government servant who remains absent from his duty for less than one year cannot be removed from service without cogent reasons. The court said Section 4 of Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act (PEEDA) manifests that where absence from duty is for more than one year and same is proved, the authority has no option but to impose penalty of compulsory retirement or removal or dismissal from service. However, where absence from duty is less than one year, the authority under Section 4 of PEECA has discretion to impose penalty of compulsory retirement or removal or dismissal from service supported by cogent justification, in accordance with principles of proportionality, structured discretion and administrative fairness, the court added. The court passed this order on a petition of a government employee, Abusar Ghaffary, who was working as computer operator with the Punjab Emergency Services Department. The court allowed the petition and reinstating the petitioner into service and set aside impugned order and observed that no reasons are recorded to impose major penalty of removal from service against the petitioner. The court; however, held that the petitioner will not be entitled for back benefits as per the law. The petitioner's counsel submitted that under Section 7 (f) (ii) of PEEDA, where charge of absence of duty is less than one year, major penalty including removal or dismissal from service cannot be imposed. Admittedly, the regular inquiry against the petitioner was dispensed with under Section 5 (1) of the PEEDA and petitioner was removed from service under Section 4 (1) (b) (v) of PEEDA for being absent from duty for 63 days, the court observed. Where the regular inquiry is dispensed with, the procedure prescribed under section 7 of PEEDA is to be followed, the court added. The court also observed that the respondent keeping in view the principles of proportionality has not exercised discretion in structured manner. No doubt, in the impugned order, the petitioner's previous service record and penalties have been referred to; however, the said record was neither confronted to the petitioner nor petitioner was charge sheeted in show-cause notice on account of poor previous service record, the court added. The court said, when petitioner was already penalised previously, his current removal from service order on the basis of said previous penalties will amount to double jeopardy. The court; however, observed that the petitioner's reinstatement shall be subject to a fresh determination by the competent authority regarding the imposing of penalty against the petitioner, which must commensurate with the gravity of misconduct and after giving cogent reasons. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
04-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
50 modern bus shelters planned
The Punjab Transport Company (PTC) has announced a plan to renovate and upgrade bus shelters across the city with an estimated cost of Rs160 million. As part of an 'Empower Her' initiative, the company has floated tenders for the refurbishment of 50 bus shelters. According to bidding documents, the PTC has invited proposals from Pakistan Engineering Council-registered companies, with the deadline for bid submissions set for April 18. The renovation work will include civil and metal fabrication, along with the installation of modern amenities such as mobile phone charging ports, concealed fans, Wi-Fi routers, first aid kits, water coolers, CCTV cameras, lighting, display fridges, dustbins and fiberglass benches. Upgraded shelters will also feature backlit signboards. Additionally, selected shelters will include tuck shops equipped with storage facilities and 3D signage. To ensure quality and efficiency, the PTC has established a standardised grading system for procurement, renovation and repair services. Only companies registered for income and sales tax, with an average annual turnover between Rs200 million and Rs301 million over the past three years, are eligible to participate. Prospective contractors must have qualified professionals in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering, architecture, environmental and social safeguards, each with a minimum of five years of experience. Eligible contractors must demonstrate a proven track record, with at least five years of repair and maintenance experience and the successful completion of a similar project worth Rs200 million or more within the last three years for public sector institutions or donor agencies. The company has assigned weightage to each component in the selection process, requiring a minimum of 65 marks for bidders to qualify. The upgraded bus shelters aim to provide protection for passengers from the sun and storms during the summer season and offer a safe waiting area during rainy weather. According to officials, the project aims to ease the travel experience for passengers and urban residents while contributing to reduction of pollution in densely populated areas as the shelters will serve as designated locations where buses stop for passengers to board or alight safely, preventing hazardous boarding or alighting at intersections or areas not using the curb lane. It will also strengthen the connection between public transit and local communities, enhancing accessibility and convenience. According to data compiled by the Punjab Emergency Services Department, at least 1,336 traffic accidents were recorded in Lahore during the Eid holidays. The details were shared during an operational review meeting, where Emergency Services Secretary Dr Rizwan Naseer expressed deep concern over the surge in accidents and fatalities, urging parents, teachers and the civil society to promote road safety measures. He emphasised the importance of adhering to speed limits, particularly for motorbikes, saying it should not exceed 50km/h. "Every additional kilometre per hour increases the risk of a fatal accident by four to six per cent," he warned. The data showed that 86 people had lost their lives in road traffic accidents across Punjab during the holidays. Rescue teams responded to 29,132 emergencies across the province, including 8,887 traffic accidents, 16,831 medical emergencies, 641 crime-related incidents and 501 fire outbreaks. Lahore with a total of 2,972 emergencies was the district with the highest number of emergencies, followed by Faisalabad with 1,847, Multan 1,539, Bahawalpur 1,280 and Gujranwala 1,236. During the video link meeting, divisional emergency officers reported an alarming increase in road traffic crashes during the Eid holidays in their divisions as compared to the routine ratio.
