Put off by the habit of its officials and employees to switch off their phones, the Punjab Government has made it clear that going off the network would ring in trouble for them even after they go home.
Issuing strict instructions to its employees, including the officers, the State Government has asked them to attend every call they receive, and warned against switching off their mobiles, even after the duty hours.
The Government has made it clear that the “departmental action” would be initiated against the employees in case they found violating the directions.
The orders, issued by the State prosecution and litigation department, cover all employees and officers working in all departments, Boards and Corporations of the State Government.
The instructions came after it was brought to the notice that many employees do not attend calls or switch off their mobiles, not only during the duty hours but also after that.
“This attitude of the Government employees is affecting the Government’s working and functioning...Thus, the employees have been warned against switching off their mobile phones or deliberately not picking the calls, irrespective of duty hours,” a senior Government functionary told The Pioneer.
The order stated that the Government officials and employees are the Government servant for 24 hours, and they have been given the facility of mobile phone allowance for carrying out the Government function and work.
As per the orders, a strong warning has been issued to the Government employees and officials that from now on, they will keep their mobile phones connected throughout the day, even after the duty hours.
“If any employee or officer fails to comply with the order or switches off the mobile phone or does not listen to every call, departmental action will be taken against him,” read the orders.