In a bid to improve discipline among employees, the Manipur government has enforced ‘No Work, No Pay’ rule for officials and employees under the state government who do not attend their official duty without valid reason or not report to the authorities concerned for duty.
A statement issued by chief secretary Vineet Joshi on Wednesday said the move was taken following reports that many officials attached with Deputy Commissioners/line departments/field level offices, are not attending the offices to which they have been attached, or not reporting for duty. The officials so attached are those unable to attend office at their usual place of posting on account of the prevailing law and order situation in the state, it stated.
It lamented that such acts constitute conduct unbecoming of a government servant and amounts to dereliction of duty as per CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and asserted that the same is viewed seriously by the state government.
It urged all administrative secretaries, Deputy Commissioners and heads of departments to enforce proper provisions regarding unauthorized absence of government servants including Proviso to FR 17 (1), which stipulates that an officer who is absent from duty without any authority shall not be entitled to any pay and allowances during the period of such absence.
It also noted that FR-17-A provision inter alia provides that where an individual employee remains absent unauthorizedly or deserts the post, the period of such absence shall be deemed to cause a break in service of the employee, unless otherwise decided by the competent authority for the purpose of leave travel concession and eligibility for appearing in departmental examinations, for which a minimum period of service is required.
The statement also advised all Administrative Secretaries to share the list of officials who have been attached to various districts/offices on account of the current law and order situation, with the Deputy Commissioner or such Head of Department/Heads of Offices concerned as well as with the Joint Secretary, Department of Personnel.
It further instructed Deputy Commissioners, HoDs and HoOs to maintain a register to record the attendance of the said attached officials. The attendance records, along with such reports regarding improper conduct, if any, will be shared with the DDOs responsible for disbursing salary of the said officials, and the Administrative Secretary of the Department under whom the official is employed, it added.
All Administrative Secretaries must also ensure communication to various officials attached with Deputy Commissioners, field offices, etc. regarding their attachment, if not already done so, and issue instructions for regular office attendance, and provisions of law, in case of non-compliance, it stated.
It reiterated that the principle of ‘No Work, No Pay’ will also invariably apply to all government employees in general and urged all Deputy Commissioners to take steps to enforce the same in all offices in their respective districts. The Chief Secretary also informed all Administrative Secretaries, Deputy Commissioners and Head of Department to submit a report on action taken in this regard by March 13, positively, it mentioned.
