CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government on Monday suspended Jasdeep Singh Aulakh, a PCS officer who is also Assistant Commissioner (Grievances) of Barnala District, for dereliction of duty following his absence from training on Saturday for conducting an exercise of counting of votes as a Returning Officer (RO) of the Bhadaur Assembly Constituency.  
 

It is for the first time that a PCS officer has been suspended on the recommendation of the Election Commission. The counting of votes is scheduled for Tuesday.
 
At the time of training on Saturday, it was found that Aulakh was missing from duty. He had left the district without informing its deputy commissioner. The Election Commission took serious note of his absence and asked the State chief secretary KR Lakhanpal to initiate action against Aulakh by suspending him immediately and also issuing him a chargesheet to this effect.
 
After consulting Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, the chief secretary ordered the department of personnel to prepare a note placing Aulakh under suspension for dereliction of duty. He has been suspended under Section 7.2 of the Punjab Government Service Rules. The Chief Secretary signed the suspension document in the evening as directed by the Election Commission of India. Aulakh will be served a chargesheet in the next few days.
 
Before joining the Punjab Civil Services, Aulakh was working as an engineer in the Punjab State electricity Board (PSEB).
 
The Additional Deputy Commissioner of Barnala received a complaint from the PSEB Engineers Association that Aulakh misbehaved inebriated condition at the PSEB Guest House at Patiala on the intervening night of February 23 and 24. On inquiry, it was found that he was absent from duty without informing the concerned officials.
 
He wanted to stay in the PSEB guest house but the chowkidar did not allow him in at this he misbehaved with him. Aulakh has been replaced by Additional Deputy Commissioner, to perform the duties as Returning Officer for Bhadhaur Assembly Constituency.