Dumka: Prompted by the sudden surge in the number of leave applications from govt employees, including magistrates deployed on Shravani Mela duty, Deoghar deputy commissioner Naman Priyesh Lakra on Sunday directed the chief medical officer (CMO) to form a three-member medical board to determine if the claims of the individuals seeking release are valid or not.He said that the move is to prevent misuse of leave on health grounds at a time when lakhs of people are coming to Deoghar during the Shravan month. He said, “Proper decisions pertaining to leave applications submitted by employees seeking release from the mela duty on health grounds will be taken only after the medical board’s decision,” he said. He added that those who availed the exemption from the mela duty before July 19 will also have to undergo medical examination before the medical board and submit the certificate, failing which they will be liable for action. Administration requires heavy manpower for smooth conduct of Shravani mela. The crowd turnout surges every Monday considered auspicious during the Shravan month. Since the start of Shravan on July 11, over 8 lakh devotees have so far visited Baidyanathdham temple in Deoghar.
