The vigilance officers in Punjab have been entrusted with another role — to check habitual latecomers and absentee employees in their respective departments.
Detecting and punishing the corrupt or such employees involved in other malpractices till now, the chief vigilance officers have been made accountable to ensure punctuality in their respective offices — failing which, they would face departmental action. Punjab Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal has already issued instructions to all the Chief Vigilance Officers in this regard. The decision came after the State Government expressed concern over the lackadaisical approach of the Government employees towards official duty.
“Chief Vigilance Officers of each department has been instructed to check their offices at periodic end; if they find any chronic case of absenteeism, they must immediately bring that case in the notice of competent authority to take disciplinary action against the erring habitual offenders,” stated the circular.CVOs have also been delegated the powers to check the attendance of their respective office during the office hours too. “Notification in this regard has been issued,” said the Vigilance department’s spokesperson.
He said that it has come to the notice of the state government through its various channels that despite the high-end advisory and strictures issued to the employees, the practise of absenteeism is still going on unabated. In view of this, the Vigilance Department has issued fresh instruction to all the Head of the Departments to ensure that the employees are attending the offices in time.