Panipuri vendors better off than govt officers in handling work stress, says Holenarasipur tahshildar

HASSAN: Street vendors selling panipuri and gobi machurian are leading more happier and peaceful life than government employees, remarked Tahsildar K K Krishnamurthy while dwelling on work stress in government departments. Krishnamurthy made the remarks at the  swearing-in ceremony of the new office bearers of the Holenarsipur taluk government employees’ association.

“A tahsildar is the administrative head of the taluk. But government employee like me are not that fortunate to be visiting temples with wife and children. We are under work pressure to reach targets and meet deadlines. On the other hand, panpuri vendors are living a peaceful life and get to spend quality time with family members and their children”, Krishnamurthy remarked.

The tahsildar said a government employee is burdened by targets and pressures from higher authorities and added that teachers too are also struggling due to the pressure of their jobs. He shared a personal anecdote about his wife, a teacher, having to check eggs for size and quality.

Krishnamurthy emphasized that government employees are under a lot of stress and are often treated unfairly. He said that many employees are suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney and liver issues due to the stress. Krishnamurthy urged government employees to stand up for themselves and demand respect from their superiors. He said that employees should be able to express their grievances and concerns without fear of reprisal.

“A government employee’s job is to implement whatever laws the legislature makes. The benefits of all departments should be made available to everyone. They monitor the progress of schemes through mobile phones. Higher authorities give show-cause notices, put pressure on them. The seniors impose work workload and criticize subordinates when targets are not met and departmental inquiries are conducted. Daily reports are to be submitted on WhatsApp groups by evening. I am working with fourteen staff, putting pressure on the village accountants”, he noted.

“The reason for this is that we are given unscientific targets. If we are given time, we will work. They are giving us twenty-five jobs and to be done in short time and are mentally harassing us. Earlier, the teaching profession was highly respected. Now it is difficult to become a teacher. My wife, sister-in-law, and brother are also teachers. Sometimes, the teachers spend money from their own pockets to buy more eggs”, he said.

Krishnamurthy emphasized the importance of self-respect and dignity for government employees. He said that employees should not be treated like slaves and should be able to work with dignity and respect.