The Centre's Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has enforced a new attendance rule to tackle chronic tardiness among government employees.
Effective immediately, the department all staff members, from junior officials to top-ranking officers, must be present at their desks by 9:15 am or face penalties.
According to the directive, tardiness beyond the 9:15 am grace period will result in the deduction of half-day casual leave.
This measure aims to curb the longstanding issue of late arrivals and early departures, particularly prevalent among lower-level employees.
Despite the official workday extending from 9 am to 5:30 pm, junior staff often arrive late and leave early, disrupting office routines, especially in customer-facing roles.
In contrast, senior officials argue that their schedules are flexible, often extending well beyond standard hours into the evening.
The reintroduction of the biometric attendance system marks a critical step in monitoring punctuality, reinstated after its suspension during the pandemic.
This technology is seen as essential in ensuring accountability and discipline across government offices.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier attempts in 2014 to enforce stricter office hours met with resistance from employees citing challenging commutes.
However, the current directive highlights the need for adherence to prescribed timings.
The circular mandates that any absence must be notified in advance, with the appropriate casual leave applied. Departmental officers are tasked with overseeing and ensuring compliance with these regulations.
This move is part of broader efforts to streamline operations and enhance efficiency within government departments.
However, it is expected to face resistance from employees accustomed to more lenient schedules, some of whom habitually arrive well past the stipulated 10 am mark.
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