Frustrated over work culture touching its nadir in the Government offices in the district, the officiating district magistrate (DM) Sonika has instructed the district level officers not to leave the district headquarters Pauri without taking prior permission from the district magistrate. However, under special circumstances, the officer could seek permission on mobile phones from the DM office or the district office.
In case such instruction is violated, action will be taken against the errant officer.
Sonika stressed that the same instruction had been given earlier to the district level officers by the district administration, but some officers are still violating the instruction and they are leaving the headquarters without the permission from DM.
She said they must follow the official procedure for taking leave.
Observers say things are in a mess as far as work culture is concerned. “The officers cannot care less. They come and go at their own sweet will. The staff are kept in the dark about the officers’ movements.
They keep their cell phones switched off. It turns difficult for anybody to contact the officers even when things are serious. The acting DM is right in seeking to establish a modicum of order in the otherwise chaotic scene.