Panaji, March 29 (IANS): Sixteen officials of the Goa Revenue Department were suspended on Wednesday for coming late to work, shortly after a surprise visit by Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte at a sub-district collectorate.

Khaunte on Wednesday morning visited the sub-collectorate in Mapusa, located around 10 km from Panaji, and later told reporters that the suspension of late-comers for two days was ordered.

The 16 officials, mostly from the lower bureaucracy, were suspended after they reported late to work by 15 minutes. 

"The suspension is a warning. If this continues, this dereliction will be recorded in the annual confidential reports. There seems to be lethargy. We cannot be slack in offices, which deal directly with members of the public," Khaunte said. 

Last week, state Water Resources Minister Vinod Palienkar also paid surprise visit to a departmental office and issued warnings to staffers who reported late at work.