‘Even pani-puri, gobi manchurian vendors lead more happy life than Government employees’

Hassan: The mounting work pressure faced by Government officials, often confined to private discussions among bureaucrats, came to light when a Tahsildar openly shared his grievances.

K.K. Krishnamurthy, the Tahsildar of Holenarasipur in Hassan district, expressed his dissatisfaction during the induction ceremony of the new office-bearers of the Taluk Government Employees Association.

He remarked, “pani-puri and gobi manchurian vendors lead far more peaceful lives than Government employees.”

He elaborated, saying, “As a Tahsildar and administrative head of the taluk, I sometimes feel I no longer want this Government job. Personally, I believe street food vendors enjoy a happier life. A pani-puri vendor gets to spend quality time with his family, something we Government officials can hardly dream of. Even visiting a temple with our families feels like an unattainable privilege, given the relentless work pressure.”

Micromanagement/ harassment: Krishnamurthy went on to detail the challenges faced by Government employees, saying, “Our primary responsibility is to implement the laws enacted by the Legislature and ensure that departmental benefits reach the intended beneficiaries. However, the workload is constantly monitored through cell phones and any lapse invites show-cause notices, additional tasks or even departmental inquiries. We are part of WhatsApp groups where action-taken reports must be submitted daily. This level of micromanagement feels like sheer mental harassment.”

Highlighting the lack of sufficient staff, Krishnamurthy revealed that he operates with just 14 personnel, adding, “The targets assigned to us are highly unrealistic. Village Accountants are often pressured because of these unscientific demands. While we can achieve our goals if given adequate time, the current scenario subjects us to immense mental stress, with several employees                                  suffering in silence and becoming scapegoats for systemic inefficiencies.”

Arbitrary punishment: He lamented the harsh punitive measures imposed for even minor errors, saying, “We are reduced to dust for small mistakes, with FIRs being lodged without assessing the nature of the errors. Families of Government employees also bear the brunt of this pressure. Instead of arbitrary punishment, a fair departmental inquiry should be conducted when necessary.”

Stress-related diseases: Krishnamurthy also reflected on the plight of teachers, saying, “The teaching profession once commanded respect, but today it has become a highly stressful job. My wife, sister-in-law and co-brother are all teachers, who even have to bear expenses like paying for eggs in mid-day meal schemes, no matter the cost. Such additional burdens add to the strain.”

He concluded by highlighting the physical toll of the job, noting that “as modernisation progresses, the pressures grow exponentially. Many Government employees suffer from ailments like hypertension, diabetes and kidney or liver problems due to the stress.”

Krishnamurthy called upon his fellow Government employees to bring their grievances to the attention of higher authorities, urging collective action to address the challenges faced by the fraternity.