The government issues a stern warning— “No work, No pay”—to address the rising issue of employee absenteeism. This directive comes as a response to a concerning number of officials failing to attend offices, posing a threat to operational efficiency.
In an effort to combat the growing concern of absenteeism among government officials, the Chief Secretary, Dr. Vineet Joshi, issued a memorandum today, emphasizing the principle of ‘No work, No pay.’ The directive aims to hold accountable those who are neglecting their duty to report to assigned offices.
Government officials facing challenges in attending their original offices due to prevailing law and order situations have been strategically reassigned. The memorandum specifies attachment to Deputy Commissioners, line Departments, or field-level offices to ensure their continued functionality.
Dr. Vineet Joshi underscores the severity of absenteeism, stating that such acts are unbecoming of a government servant and tantamount to dereliction of duty under the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. The memorandum leaves no room for ambiguity, signaling a strong stance against negligent behavior.
Emphasizing the ‘No work, No pay’ principle, the memorandum decrees its application to any official failing to report to their assigned authority or attend designated offices without a valid and accepted reason. The government is resolute in its commitment to employee accountability.
To bolster the directive, the memorandum elucidates the consequences of unauthorized absence. It explicitly states that officers absent without proper authority shall forfeit entitlement to any pay and allowances during the period of such absence.
To instill discipline among employees, the memorandum mandates the collaboration of all Administrative Secretaries. They are tasked with sharing comprehensive lists of reassigned officials with Deputy Commissioners or Heads of Departments/offices, creating a collective responsibility for adherence.
Deputy Commissioners and Heads of Departments/offices now play a pivotal role in maintaining rigorous attendance records. These records, along with reports on improper conduct, if any, will be shared with Disbursing Officers (DDOs) and the respective Administrative Secretary for decisive action.
Administrative Secretaries, entrusted with a crucial role, are directed to issue clear instructions to attached officials, underscoring the significance of regular attendance. This step is critical for the effective functioning of government offices and the realization of their public service mandate.
The ‘No work, No pay’ principle is not an isolated measure. It uniformly applies to all government employees. Deputy Commissioners are expressly instructed to take proactive steps to enforce this principle across all offices within their respective districts.
In a final directive, Chief Secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi sets a deadline for accountability. All Administrative Secretaries, Deputy Commissioners, and Heads of Departments must submit comprehensive reports detailing actions taken in response to this directive by March 13.
This government initiative signals a significant push towards employee accountability, discipline, and the uncompromising application of the ‘No work, No pay’ principle.
