In ‘punctuality’ overdrive, Sikkim is now naming & shaming its bureaucrats

Gangtok: Keeping with its promise of disciplining government officials on punctuality, the office of the chief secretary of Sikkim led by SC Gupta on Friday released a list of names of errant bureaucrats who had reached their respective offices later than 10:30 am on Thursday.

On Thursday, Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Golay had told government officials to follow the 10.30 am-4.30 pm working hour shifts strictly. The latest order issued Friday mentions the names of 11 bureaucrats holding the ranks of additional secretary to additional chief engineer. The order also states the errant officers will be treated as being on ‘extraordinary leave without pay’ for April 15.

While addressing the media on his visit to STNM Hospital in Gangtok on Saturday, chief minister Golay said, “The public must know that these are the public servants who came late. They are public servants and when we publish their names in such a manner, it will hold as a lesson for them. It is a habit that they have developed but now they will be punished for being late. This is the first punishment and more will follow if it is noted that they are violating the rule again.”