LUCKNOW, June 14 -- Minister in-charge of Lucknow district Suresh Khanna once again pulled up municipal officials and ordered salary deductions for failing to maintain cleanliness across various areas in the state capital despite repeated warnings.

Khanna, who holds the finance portfolio, conducted a surprise inspection of five zones in the city on Saturday and expressed dissatisfaction over clogged drains, garbage heaps, and lack of sanitation. The minister directed that the salary of zonal officers and sanitation inspectors of Zone 1 and Zone 3 be deducted for negligence. He also ordered similar penalties for several junior staff, citing gross dereliction of duty.

This marks the second instance within 24 days that Zone 1 officials hav...