Chandigarh, July 29 -- The Punjab transport department dismissed nine contractual employees and placed an official under suspension over "corrupt" practices in Patiala on Monday. Besides, a show-cause notice has been issued to deputy transport commissioner Manjit Singh.

According to the department, the suspended official is Pawan Kumar, a senior assistant. Among the contractual employees whose services have been terminated are seven security guards and a data entry operator at the Patiala transport office.

The action was taken amid widespread complaints of corruption in the working of the office, officials said.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hindustan Times....