Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth has
asked Secretaries of all central departments to intensify the crackdown on
government employees who are found to be “habitually late” in reaching office.
Seth, in his July 31 missive, has specifically cited concerns expressed by
Prime
Minister
Narendra Modi in this regard.Stating that the onus lies on the Secretaries to
make the staff more work-oriented, the letter says that Modi has taken
cognizance of some official reports which say that there has been no visible
improvement in the ambience of the workplaces while “some officials have been
habitually coming late” to work.“In some departments, the ministers have
noticed the laxity in this regard. The PM has expressed concern over these
reports,” says the letter.The government is waiting for the success of its
drive to make its employees punctual, which can happen on “continued
perseverance by every employee,” it says. Cautioning the Secretaries against
any “slippages” in this regard, Seth has asked them to review the situation on
a sustained basis.At a meeting with the Secretaries in June also, Seth had
emphasised the need to ensure punctuality and attendance.Two Secretary level
officers told The Indian Express that a Joint Secretary level officer has been
informally deputed in each ministry to keep a check on attendance. Though the
letter does not spell out the punitive action in case of continued poor
attendance, it is learnt that the defaulters may have to take compulsory
leave.source-http://indianexpress.com/
