TV
In a bid to enhance administrative efficiency and ensure discipline across departments, the Government of Odisha has issued a fresh directive mandating strict adherence to office timings for all state government employees.
According to a notification issued by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department, punctuality has been reaffirmed as a key component of good governance.
“Every employee is expected to record his/her 'Office In' as well as 'Office Out' time in the Biometric Attendance Recording Device. Non-recording of 'Office Out' time may be treated as absence from duty for the day,” the notification read.
Employees are expected to come to office by the prescribed time. In offices, where employees are required to attend on Roster basis, the Head of Office shall issue Office Order to that effect and the time mentioned therein for reporting shall be treated as the prescribed time. Instructions contained herein shall apply mutatis mutandis in respect of the said employees, it read.
Delay May Lead to Deduction of Casual Leave:
Delay up to a maximum span of 30 minutes, on any day with a cumulative of three days in a calendar month may be condoned by the Head of the Office or the Officer duly authorised for the purpose, thereafter, for every three days of late attendance by any employee, the employee will be liable for deduction of one day's Casual Leave from their Leave Account, the notification stated.
“Considering the fact that, many employees have to work for prolonged and late hours in the evening and sometimes even on Public Holidays in the interest of office work, in such cases, the employees will be eligible for non-imposition of such penalties for late attendance, if any, with due approval of the appropriate Authority as mentioned supra,” it read further.
In accordance with the government instructions, every employee is expected to attend Office at least for 7.30 hours (Except during days of business notified to be conducted during Morning Hours) in each working day.
No penalty shall be imposed for Non recording of Office In/Office Out time for any genuine reasons such as on official tour, official work outside of the office premise etc. on orders by Competent Authority, it read.
However, staff deployed in the Secretariat of Governor, Offices of the Chief Minister and Ministers will be exempted from these instructions.
