9 hours ago
Maharashtra settlement commissioner issues directive against birthday celebrations during office hours
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Maharashtra settlement commissioner and director of land records Suhas Diwase has issued a circular directing all officers and staffers in the land records department to refrain from organising or participating in any private events such as birthday celebrations during office hours.
The circular, addressed to all divisional offices and land records superintendents in the state, noted with concern that some department officers and employees were found celebrating personal functions, including birthdays, within govt premises during office hours. It stated that such practices hamper the functioning of offices, waste official time, and cause inconvenience to citizens and visitors who come to govt offices for official work.
The order has not gone down well with some officials. But citizens welcomed the move, saying that slow processing of applications and files had bogged the department for years. Off late, with the introduction of online services, things have started changing positively.
Without mincing words, Diwase's communication issued earlier this week cited Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1979, and termed such behaviour inappropriate and violation of service conduct norms.
"Officials visiting govt offices are often made to wait unnecessarily due to these personal events. This not only affects the public delivery system but also tarnishes the image of the department," the circular noted.
Accordingly, all offices under the settlement commissioner and director of land records, Maharashtra, headquartered at Pune, including subordinate offices, have been instructed to ensure that no private celebrations take place within office premises during work hours.
Any instance of violation will attract disciplinary action against concerned individuals.
The circular also instructed controlling officers to issue warnings to those who may have organised or participated in personal celebrations in the past during office hours. "Strict vigilance should be maintained to prevent recurrence of such improper conduct in any govt office," it said.
"This move comes amid efforts by the state govt to improve work culture and enhance efficiency in public service delivery," said a senior official from the settlement commissioner. Diwase could not be reached for comments on his decision.
