KATHMANDU: The Department of Customs (DoC) has begun proceedings against 30 of its employees stationed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for being absent from their posts during a check on Saturday.
DoC Director General Shishir Kumar Dhungana said it took action as their negligence had caused suffering to travellers passing through the airport.
You might also like
“The absence of three-four employees who were supposed to be manning the walk-through X-ray area had caused inconvenience to air travellers,” he said.
Among the customs employees who face action, two are gazetted officers and the rest non-gazetted officers. According to Dhungana, the department will take action against them under Civil Service Act 1993. “They may be given warning letters and their promotion may be stopped,” he said.
Dhungana added that they had formed an investigation committee led by Under-Secretary Surya Sedhai. “Based on the committee’s report, we will initiate action against the accused staff.”
This is perhaps the first time that the department has begun action against its employees for not being at their posts.
On many occasions in the past, travellers passing through TIA have faced inconvenience due to the negligence of customs staff.
Delays in customs clearance and theft of luggage are among the common issues that travellers have been encountering occasionally at the airport.
Dhungana said they had moved with the aim of reducing the hassles that travellers have been facing at the airport customs.
“We have planned to make our officials more responsible towards their duties in the future,” Dhungana added.
