Government to take disciplinary actions against "habitual latecomers"; asks employees to maintain punctuality

NEW DELHI: The Centre has warned government employees that disciplinary action will be taken against "habitual latecomers" to office and asked officials at all levels to maintain punctuality. The government had last year introduced Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System in central government offices, including attached and subordinate offices, to ensure punctuality.

"This department on November 21, 2014 and January 28, 2015 while recognising that the biometric attendance system is only an enabling platform had, inter alia, stated that there was no change in the instructions relating to office hours, late attendance etc," the Department of Personnel and Training said in a circular titled ‘Observance of punctuality in office’, issued to all ministries on Monday.

The circular referred to Rule 3(1)(ii) of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 which, DoPT said, stipulates that every government servant shall at all times maintain devotion to duty. "Habitual late attendance is viewed as conduct unbecoming of a government servant and disciplinary action may be taken against such a government servant," the circular said.