Surat: A deputy medical officer, A P Bhatt, posted in the central zone of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), was suspended on Monday for remaining absent during a sanitation drive supervised by municipal commissioner, Nagrajan M.During the commissioner’s early morning inspection in the Bhagal vegetable market area, Bhatt was found absent despite prior intimation about the drive. He was suspended pending an inquiry for alleged negligence.As part of a month-long cleanliness campaign ordered by Nagrajan, specific spots across all zones — including public gardens, vegetable markets and busy commercial areas — were identified for focused action by the health and engineering wings of the civic body. The commissioner has been conducting surprise early morning inspections at these locations.SMC teams were directed to assess sanitation issues and initiate corrective measures to improve civic infrastructure. While most officials and field staff were present during the drive, another deputy municipal commissioner-level officer reportedly faced the commissioner’s displeasure for arriving late.
