Bhubaneswar: Chief Secretary’s punctuality serves as a clear example and a standard for the rest of the administration. When Head Of Bureaucracy Manoj Ahuja consistently arrives at the office by 9:30 AM, it sends a strong message about the importance of discipline and time management.
The fact that other employees in the State Secretariat are “missing the approach” of timely arrival highlights a common challenge in large organizations, especially government bodies. Here’s why this discrepancy is a concern for the Odisha government:
- Loss of Credibility and Authority: If the head of the administration sets an example that isn’t followed, it can undermine his authority and the seriousness of the government’s directives on punctuality.
- Perpetuation of Lapses: When punctuality isn’t consistently enforced throughout all levels, it can create a culture where tardiness is tolerated, leading to a domino effect of delays and inefficiencies.
- Impact on Work Flow: Even if senior officials are on time, delays at lower levels can still bottleneck processes. If the Chief Secretary needs a report or information from a department, and the concerned employee isn’t in office, it slows down the entire chain of command.
- Public Perception: The public often views government offices as inefficient or slow. If top officials are punctual but common citizens face delays due to absent or late staff, it reinforces negative stereotypes and erodes public trust.
- Difficulty in Policy Implementation: Many government policies and initiatives require seamless coordination and timely execution. If staff members are not consistently present, it directly impacts the ability to implement these policies effectively.
What the government is doing to bridge this gap, beyond the Chief Secretary’s example:
While the Chief Secretary’s punctuality is a powerful symbolic gesture, the government needs systemic solutions to ensure widespread adherence. As previously discussed, the Odisha government is implementing measures like:
- Mandatory Biometric Attendance: This is a direct response to track and enforce punctuality. When every employee’s “Office In” and “Office Out” time is recorded digitally, it leaves little room for evasion.
- Strict Adherence to Office Hours: Re-emphasizing the 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM working hours (with the grace period) and explicitly stating consequences for non-compliance.
- Disciplinary Actions: This is crucial. Without concrete penalties like leave deductions, show-cause notices, or salary withholding, directives alone may not be effective. The news reports indicate that such actions are indeed being taken.
- Departmental Accountability: Placing responsibility on departmental heads and branch officers to monitor and ensure punctuality within their teams.
- Performance Reviews: Integrating punctuality and attendance into overall performance appraisals can create a stronger incentive for employees to be on time.
The Chief Secretary’s consistent early arrival serves as a beacon, but the government’s real challenge is to translate that example into a consistent and disciplined work ethic across the entire secretariat through robust enforcement and accountability mechanisms.