Lack of work culture amongst Govt employees : Ibobi flays self, Ministers and bureaucrats
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 29 2014 : Not sparing even himself, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has expressed deep annoyance stating that all Ministers starting from the Chief Minister and all bureaucrats starting from the Chief Secretary, Secretaries and Directors come to office and go back at their own whims.

Speaking at the inaugural function of a workshop on skill development held at Hotel Imphal today under the aegis of the Department of Labour and Employment, Ibobi noted that unemployment has become a serious issue in the State and a big headache to the Government.

Lack of vibrant work culture is only aggravating the issue.

"Starting from myself, Ministers, the Chief Secretary, Commissioners and Directors do not have healthy work culture.

They go to office at any time they wish.

They come to office late and go back before the time of office hours on the pretext that they have socio-religious functions to attend", Ibobi stated.

When people's representatives and public servants do not have healthy work culture, one cannot expect a progressive society.

Chief Minister O Ibobi lights a candle to mark the start of the workshop Pix - DIPR

The Secretariat should lead the way in cultivating a vibrant work culture.

The Ministers and Commissioners of each and every department should check whether their staff attend office in time, go back after office hours and work diligently.

Attendance registration using biometrics system would be launched in the Secretariat too, Ibobi announced.

Attendance at district level Government offices would also be checked through internet networking system.

It is impossible to provide Government jobs to every citizen of the State.

But majority of the Government employees do not have work culture even though they are getting fat salaries.

In developed countries like the USA, there are no regular Government employees.

For instance, police officers like DGP are not appointed on regular basis.

They are given salaries and promotion based on their performance.

Once their performance de-escalates, they are sacked from their jobs, Ibobi stated.

After the Power Department has been converted into a corporation, all the staff are now compelled to attend office regularly.

But many are facing difficulties complying with the new attendance rules.

As such, around 20 employees have been applying for voluntary retirement every day.

This is a clear indication of the lack of work culture in the erstwhile Power Department.

There are thousands and thousands of graduates, post graduates and professional degree holders but no one is sure where they can be absorbed.

For their self-employment, the Government would provide basic infrastructure such as power, water and sponsor skill development training programmes, assured the Chief Minister.

Noting that private entrepreneurs/employers of the State give remunerations not commensurate to the work loads assigned to their employees, Ibobi appealed to all entrepreneurs and employers to avoid over-exploitation of employees. Exploit the skills of the youngsters but do not pay them wages/remunerations less than the rate fixed by the Government, Ibobi advised.

When Hotel Imphal was a Government undertaking, several crores were invested through Tourism Department but no significant development could be achieved.

Not long after Dr Dhaballi took over the hotel's management, Hotel Imphal has developed quite a lot apart from giving employment to many people.

There are around 3000 work charge employees in PWD but they would only say yes to the proposal to cleanse the road medians now overgrown with shrubs and grasses without ever getting down to work.

The way Government employees have been doing their duties need a complete overhaul, Ibobi stated.

Confiding that skill development workshop being organised by Labour and Employment Department would be very beneficial, Ibobi called upon all the citizens to cultivate a vibrant work culture.

Labour and Employment Department Minister I Hemochandra, National Skill Development Agency Director General JP Rai and the Additional Chief Secretary were also present at the inaugural session of the workshop.