Worried over the trend of officials switching off their mobile phones after work, Delhi Government has decided to issue a circular asking officials keep their mobile phones on after work hours. This is the second time within six months that the Government is forced to issue a circular in this regard. Earlier, the General Administrative Department (GAD) had issued a circular on January 31 asking officials to keep their mobile phones on after working hours to dispose of some urgent work. It has been seen that some officials deliberately switch off their mobiles after 6 pm.
A senior official said on condition of anonymity that some officials deliberately switch off mobile phones after working hours and this has become a force of habit.
“The Government officials are frequently required to be contacted after office hours for urgent work. It has been found that sometimes their mobile phones are off and they do not receive official calls. lack of communication can delay important work. So all are required to keep on their mobile phone after working hours,” the draft of the circular said.
A similar circular was issued two years ago by secretary to Transport Minister Arvinder Singh lovely, as staff deputed at the Minister’s office did not pick up the calls from the Minister’s office. The circular was withdrawn after media report.
To rein in late lateefs, the Delhi Government has installed biometric attendance system to maintain timekeeping in its offices. As officials and employees have been reporting to the duty late in the morning despite order to ensure punctuality and discipline of Government by Delhi Government’s Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, the decision to introduce attendance machine was taken.