MEERUT, Feb. 4 -- A block education officer (BEO) in Meerut was on Monday detained for allegedly proceeding on leave without approval, causing disruption of work related to the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls as he was deployed as an assistant electoral registration officer. The action was taken against Shyam Mohan Asthana on the complaint of SDM Udit Narayan Sengar after the former remained absent from duty without approved leave and failed to respond to official phone calls. Police made Asthana sit at the police station for around three hours. A medical examination was also conducted following his detention, after which he was released. According to SDM Sengar, Asthana, posted as BEO in Block 3, was assigned the responsibility of conducting timely hearings related to SIR notices and submitting reports within the stipulated time frame. However, he neither performed the assigned duties nor informed senior officials about his absence. Asthana had reportedly been missing since Saturday without any official information or sanctioned leave. As hearings did not take place at the scheduled time, administrative work suffered and voters faced difficulties. Taking the matter seriously, the SDM termed the act negligence and indiscipline in government work and submitted a written complaint to the police. During the inquiry, it emerged that Asthana had applied for leave, but the same was not approved. Despite this, he proceeded on leave. Officials said attempts were made to contact him but in vain. The SDM said a letter has also been sent to the basic education officer for further investigation and departmental action against Asthana. On the other hand, Asthana claimed that both his wife and he were unwell, which prompted him to travel to Lucknow. To ensure that the voter list revision work continues without further delay, the administration has assigned deputy tehsildar Bhupendra Kumar the responsibility of hearing SIR notice-related cases in place of the block education officer.HTC...