Shourie brings to IT ministry what’s needed most — discipline

And with the Minister himself reaching office at 8.30 a.m. every morning, everybody is now required to come in by 9 a.m. latest. In a series of steps to ensure that staff perform their regular work diligently the minister has issued a number of circulars which includes one on mandatory registering of attendance by one and all through punching of cards by 9 am on a daily basis.

In fact a circular dated March 3, 2003, signed by additional secretary, which stated that group coordinators (joint secretary and above) are exempt from the mandatory punching of cards was overruled by the minister through another circular dated March 10 which stated that even these officials would not be exempt from the rule.

The Minister has also directed that a list of late comers should be put up every day by 11.30 am on a day to day basis. The circular to this effect, dated March 20, 2003 stated surprise checking should be conducted by joint directors and deputy directors to ensure that all staff are at their work desk by the scheduled time.

Shourie also doesn’t take to recreation and wasting time at the government’s expense. The circular states that the table tennis room and the ladies’ rest room should not be opened during the working hours and checks should be conducted to ensure that “people in the name of having lunch are not found roaming outside after the lunch break is over without attending their work. Disciplinary proceedings should be initiated against the habitual absentees/habitual late-comers”, the circular adds.

According to insiders in DIT, the staff has been told to stick to a strict lunch time of 1 pm to 1.30 pm. The Minister himself, at times, goes on a round for surprise checks, insiders add.

The Minister has also warned that even past record of irregular attendance would not go unpunished. According to a circular dated March 20, 2003, “eight casual leaves from the casual leave (CL) account of the year 2003 may be debited in respect of officers/employees who had come late or left early more than 20 times during July-September 2002. If the CL account is already exhausted, 8 days of earned leave may be debited.”

Group coordinators have been strictly told to respond to the work designated by the minister of communication and information technology (MCIT) within 48 hours from the time of communication.

The ministry has also decided to cut down on tours and travels. The circular to this effect states that “all group coordinators are directed to discourage the junior officials from undertaking tours unless it is considered absolutely essential. It is felt that monitoring of projects can easily take place through faxes, telephonic discussions and e-mails. Money on air fares and TA/DA could be conserved and better utilised in funding more research projects”, the circular added.