Salaries of 2,300 enumerators to be held for being absent from ongoing Social and Educational Survey

Orders have been issued by the Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), M. Maheshwar Rao, directing that the salaries of about 2,300 enumerators be withheld for the period of their unauthorised absence from the ongoing Social and Educational Survey, under the “no work, no pay”.  

The action, the Chief Commissioner on Tuesday said, follows repeated notices and reminders to the enumerators who failed to report for duty despite being assigned survey work. Officials called this gross misconduct, pointing out that the government has taken a serious note of the absence.  

Around 21,000 enumerators within Bengaluru were appointed for the survey exercise, of which more than 18,000 are said to be working. Pregnant women, women with infants below one year, and those facing serious medical conditions were exempted from field duty.

However, officials said around 2,300 enumerators remained absent without valid reasons despite repeated SMS reminders and written instructions.  

Mr. Rao directed the absentee staff to immediately resume work and complete the survey of their allotted households. Further orders, disciplinary action, including suspension, may also be initiated if the enumerators continue to fail to report for duty, the GBA commissioner said.