Ganesh Mahipaul absent from work for 33 days, divulged confidential info

…slapped with disciplinary charges

The Local Government and Regional Development Ministry has slapped its Community Development Officer, Ganesh Mahipaul, with four departmental disciplinary charges.

In a letter dated November 3, 2020, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Prema Ramanah Roopnarine, slapped Mahipaul with a violation of an oath or affirmation of office, two counts of absent from duty without leave or adequate excuse, and divulging official information of a secret or confidential nature.
The first charge against Mahipaul stated that he allowed his name to be on the political List of Candidates for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) coalition for the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, knowing that it constituted a breach and violation of his oath of office to be impartial.
The second charge alleged that between the period of May 5 to June 8, 2020, a period of 33 days, the now APNU/AFC Member of Parliament was absent from duty without leave or a lawful excuse.

Additionally, Mahipaul has to also answer for being absent from duty between May 5 to June 8, 2020, and present at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre without obtaining the permission and approval of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Public Service.
The letter to Ganesh further added that “…during the period 3rd August 2020 to the 14th August 2020, [you] were absent from duty without leave or a lawful excuse.” The letter continued, “…during the period of 3rd August 2020 to 14th August 2020, [you] were absent from duty without obtaining the permission and approval of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service.”
The last charge alleged that Ganesh, on August 10, 2020, published and displayed confidential information of the Local Government Ministry on his Facebook page.
The APNU/AFC member was given seven days to acknowledge and reply to the charges laid against him. (G1)