Imphal, February 10: To ensure punctuality of officers at the Secretariat and the enhance efficiency, Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh has issued an office memorandum listing certain provisions to pull up erring officers.

As per the office memorandum, dated January 31, all staff below the rank of Under Secretary have been asked to sign in the register at the reception, indicating the time of arrival when any of them happen to come to office after 10 am and also to note down the departure time if they leave before 4 pm.

For employees below the level of Special Secretary, the receptionist/official in-charge will note down names and designations of the officers who come after 10 am, said the office memorandum.

To penalise habitual late comers, the Chief Secretary decreed that if any official comes late to office or leave office before office hour for more than three days in a month, then the official concerned will be given Extraordinary Leave (Leave without pay) without seeking any explanation.

Disciplinary action will however be taken up against repeated offenders, said the office memorandum.

In case any official arrives late or has to leave office early due to some official works or engagement, outside the Secretariat, then the same may be intimated to the senior officers concerned.

The office memorandum was issued after a surprise check was conducted on the instructions of the Chief Secretary on January 14.During the inspection drive, it was found that 48 officers were not found in their offices between 9.30 am and 10.30 am, said the office memorandum.

Explanation calls were served on the officers found missing, said the office memorandum and the excuses given by the officers have established the fact that there is a trend among the officers to come late to office and leave early.

No doubt there some genuine cases, noted the Chief Secretary.

The Chief Secretary made it clear that punctuality, especially in a busy office like the Secretariat is of utmost importance to promote efficiency and there is the need for responsible officers to set good examples for their subordinates.

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