The Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) of Gwalior has issued show-cause notices to eight health department employees after they were found absent without prior permission during a monthly review meeting of government health programmes in Bhitarwar block. The action comes as the district health administration tightens accountability to ensure the effective implementation of public healthcare services and national health schemes.

The review meeting, held on Tuesday, focused on assessing the progress of various national health programmes and government-sponsored healthcare initiatives. During the meeting, several officials and staff members were found absent without informing the department in advance, prompting the CMHO to seek explanations from the concerned employees.

According to health department officials, the unexplained absence was treated as a serious case of indiscipline, particularly because such review meetings play a crucial role in monitoring the implementation of healthcare services at the grassroots level.

Review Meeting Focused on Health Schemes

The monthly review meeting was organised to evaluate the performance of various health programmes being implemented in Bhitarwar block. Officials reviewed the progress of ongoing schemes, service delivery, and the functioning of health centres across the region.

During attendance verification, eight employees were found missing without any prior intimation or approved leave. Taking serious note of the absence, CMHO Dr. M.S. Sagar directed that show-cause notices be issued immediately to all concerned staff members.

Officials said regular participation in review meetings is essential for monitoring field-level performance and ensuring that healthcare services are delivered efficiently to beneficiaries.

Eight Employees Receive Show-Cause Notices

The employees who have been served notices include Community Health Officer (CHO) Prabha Shankar Kourav of Bhauri Sub Centre, Priyanka Solanki, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) at Toda Sub Centre, Parvati Choudhary, ANM at Antari, Ritu Choubey, ANM at Gohinda, and Archana Kumari, CHO at Sakhni.

The notices have also been issued to Data Entry Operators Abhishek Shrivastava, Ram Milan Rawat, and Komal Singh Rawat.

All eight employees have been directed to submit their explanations within the stipulated time frame.

Strict Action Warned for Unsatisfactory Replies

CMHO Dr. M.S. Sagar said that attendance at departmental review meetings is mandatory for all health officials and employees, as these meetings help assess the implementation of health services and government welfare schemes.

He instructed the concerned employees to submit written explanations within the prescribed deadline and warned that disciplinary action would be initiated under departmental rules if their responses are found unsatisfactory.

The CMHO also directed all health officers and staff to ensure mandatory participation in future review meetings and maintain accountability in discharging their official responsibilities.

According to officials, the district health administration has been placing greater emphasis on regular monitoring and timely implementation of healthcare programmes to improve public health services across Gwalior district. Authorities believe that strict adherence to departmental procedures and attendance norms is essential for achieving better outcomes under various national and state health initiatives.

Cheetah KGP-1, which recently moved out of Kuno National Park, has once again been spotted in the Bhitarwar region of Gwalior district. The animal was seen moving through farmlands near Kerua village after passing through the hilly areas of Devgarh village, prompting renewed attention from local residents and forest officials.

A video recorded by villagers showing the cheetah walking calmly through agricultural fields has gone viral on social media. The footage also shows members of the forest department’s monitoring team following the animal from a safe distance. Forest officials said the cheetah continues to move across different regions while being continuously tracked through its GPS-enabled radio collar.

Movement Across Multiple Regions

According to forest department sources, KGP-1 has been roaming outside Kuno National Park for nearly 45 days. During this period, the cheetah has travelled through several locations including Aron, Simaria, the Tighra Dam region, forest areas in Morena district and parts of Ghatigaon before reaching Bhitarwar. Officials said the movement pattern suggests the animal is actively exploring forest corridors and water-rich areas across the Gwalior-Chambal region.

Seen In Kerua Village Fields

The latest sighting occurred near agricultural fields in Kerua village, where local residents spotted the cheetah moving through open land during daylight hours. Villagers recorded videos on mobile phones, which later spread rapidly across social media platforms. The visuals show the cheetah appearing calm while walking through the fields. Forest monitoring personnel can also be seen tracking the animal from behind. Authorities said no aggressive behaviour was observed during the sighting.

Earlier Tracked Near Tighra

Forest officials had earlier tracked KGP-1 near the Lakhanpura forest area close to Tighra Dam on April 15. At that time, wildlife experts believed the cheetah had moved toward the area in search of water sources and safe wildlife corridors. A few days later, on April 20, the cheetah’s presence was also recorded near Uakheda village and adjoining agricultural areas in Ghatigaon. On April 30, villagers reportedly spotted the animal resting between crop fields, leading to panic among some residents before forest teams intervened.

Tracking Collar Helps Monitoring

Officials said the cheetah is wearing a tracking collar, allowing wildlife teams to monitor its movement continuously. The tracking system has enabled Kuno National Park authorities and forest department teams to follow the animal’s route in real time and respond quickly whenever it enters populated zones. Authorities clarified that KGP-1 has not attacked any villager or livestock so far, which has helped prevent panic in nearby settlements. Forest officials said monitoring teams remain on alert due to the cheetah’s frequent movement across multiple districts.

Experts Cite Natural Behaviour

Wildlife experts said such long-distance movement is considered natural behaviour for cheetahs adapting to new habitats after relocation projects. According to experts, forest regions around Ghatigaon and adjoining areas currently have sufficient prey availability, reducing the chances of aggressive interaction with humans or domestic animals. They explained that open forest stretches, water availability and safe movement corridors influence the animal’s travel patterns. The ongoing movement of KGP-1 is also being closely studied as part of broader wildlife management and cheetah reintroduction efforts in India.

Advisory Issued For Villagers

The forest department has issued advisories in villages surrounding the movement zone and appealed to residents to remain cautious. Officials advised villagers not to approach the cheetah, avoid entering forested areas alone and refrain from surrounding the animal for photographs or videos. Residents have also been instructed to immediately inform forest teams if the cheetah is spotted near residential areas or grazing fields. Authorities said monitoring operations will continue until the animal either returns toward protected forest zones or moves into another safe wildlife corridor.