New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry wants its officers to ‘work from anywhere’ even when on tour, training or leave, in a decision taken to implement a new work culture in government offices where jobs are supposed to be safe and comfortable.
In an office memorandum issued on March 6, the Health Ministry has said that it is doing away with the system of link officers in the ministry.
“Keeping in view the online access of e-mails and e-files through VPN, it has been decided to do away with the present Link Officer system in the Ministry with immediate effect. Officers who go on short term tour/training/leave are required to handle e-mail and dispose of e-files as per their convenience during the period of physical absence from office,” accessed by ThePrint states Gaya Office Memorandum.
So far, no other ministry or the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the nodal agency of the Government of India that looks after service, policy and administrative matters relating to central service officers, has issued such an order. Link Officer.
The order said that apart from handling e-mails and e-files during the period of absence, officers should also “endeavour” to attend virtual meetings.
Having a link officer is a standard government practice. In every central ministry and department, senior officers above the level of Deputy Secretary and up to the level of Additional Secretary have a link officer, who can officiate when an officer is on tour/training or on leave.
For Secretary level officers, DoPT issues orders giving them additional charge when the Secretary of any other Ministry/Department is on leave.
It is not just short term tour/training or leave when officers will be required to work. The memorandum states that even when an officer is on tour/training/leave for a long duration, the officer should “endeavour” to handle e-mails and e-files “to the extent possible”.
“Whenever a situation arises wherein an officer is going on tour/training/leave for a long duration, endeavor should be made that even in such cases the officer continues to handle e-mails and e-files as far as possible,” it said. says, adding that the officers may also ensure that their immediate subordinate officers who report to them are available in the office for smooth functioning of the office.
“The officers should instruct their personal staff to scan the physical receipts and send them through e-office portal (WAW) or e-mail to the directions. In case of any contingency, the subordinate officers should be alert to the need to bypass the reporting authority who may be on leave/training/tour and e-mail such appropriate decisions to the next higher authority for immediate approval. Can send files. pressing matters. During the period of absence, officers should try to attend virtual meetings as far as possible,” the order says.
The memorandum noted that any exceptions would be dealt with “on a case-by-case basis” and that the health secretary may issue a specific order allowing handling of e-files in respect of any officer who Away on leave, tour, training etc.
The order has drawn much ire among health ministry officials, who are terming it as “draconian”.
“What does this mean? When employers everywhere are talking about work-life balance, the health ministry of all ministries wants their employees to work even on vacation? -Why should the file be used? It is very unjust,” a senior ministry official told ThePrint.
A second ministry official said he has been receiving calls from his colleagues in other ministries inquiring about the order. “They are fearing that soon other ministries will follow suit,” the official said.
(Edited by Tony Rae)
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