The Odisha Government has taken strict action against Rajendra Khuntia, the Deputy Director of the Mining Department, suspending him over allegations of inefficiency and failure to meet administrative expectations.
Odisha’s Minister of Mines and Steel, Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, announced the suspension via the social media platform ‘X.’
ମାଇନିଙ୍ଗ ଅଫିସର ରାଜେନ୍ଦ୍ର ଖୁଣ୍ଟିଆଙ୍କ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଉପରେ ସରକାର ତୀକ୍ଷଣ ଦୃଷ୍ଟି ରଖି ଆସିଥିଲେ ଓ ତାଙ୍କ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟଶୈଳୀରେ କୌଣସି ଉନ୍ନତି ପରିଲେକ୍ଷିତ ନହେବା ଯୋଗୁଁ ଶୃଙ୍ଖଳାଗତ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟାନୁଷ୍ଠାନ ସ୍ୱରୁପ ତାଙ୍କୁ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟରୁ ନିଲମ୍ବିତ କରାଯାଇଛି। ଏଥି ସହିତ ଅନ୍ୟାନ୍ୟ ମାଇନିଙ୍ଗ ଅଫିସରମାନଙ୍କ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟଧାରା ଉପରେ ସରକାର ତୀକ୍ଷଣ… pic.twitter.com/YamDT96DZx
— Bibhuti Bhusan Jena (@BibhutiJena93) March 23, 2025
Minister Jena highlighted that Khuntia’s performance had been under scrutiny for a prolonged period, with no visible improvements. In line with the government’s commitment to transparency and efficiency, this move sends a clear signal to others in the administration to adhere to high standards of professionalism.
The suspension order specifies that Khuntia will remain at the Cuttack Mining Office during the suspension period and will require official clearance to leave the district headquarters.
Furthermore, warnings have been issued to other mining officers, emphasizing the government’s continued focus on monitoring their work closely. Immediate actions will be initiated against any irregularities observed in their conduct.
