Punjab government has issued a directive requiring all state employees to remain available on their mobile phones 24×7, including after office hours, weekends, and public holidays.
The Special Secretary (Personnel) signed the order and emphasized the importance of uninterrupted communication.
Officials must remain accessible to facilitate urgent administrative work and public services.
Punjab Government’s Justification for the Order
According to the directive, the government has observed that many officials switch off their phones, activate flight mode, or divert calls after office hours.
This practice makes it difficult to complete essential administrative tasks.
The order highlights that certain government functions require immediate intervention. It emphasizes that the availability of officers is crucial for ensuring timely decision-making.
The directive applies to Special Chief Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries, Financial Commissioners, Principal Secretaries, and Secretaries.
These officials must ensure that all officers under their supervision remain accessible at all times.
Historical Precedents and Employee Reactions
This is not the first time such a mandate has been issued.
Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh passed a similar order in 2017. The directive required government employees to be available round the clock.
At the time, the government justified the decision by stating that employees’ phone bills were reimbursed to ensure their availability.
However, the issue of phone allowances has been a point of contention between the government and employees.
In 2012, the SAD-BJP government introduced a phone allowance for government staff.
In 2020, the Amarinder Singh administration sought to rationalize expenses by halving the cellphone allowance.
This reduction lowered the state’s expenditure by ₹40 crore annually.
Punjab Government Latest Order: Financial Implications of the Policy
The Punjab government has historically spent ₹101.2 crore annually on employees’ mobile allowances.
After the 2020 budget cuts, the cellphone allowance for Group A employees was reduced from ₹500 to ₹250 per month, while Group B employees saw their allowance drop from ₹300 to ₹175 per month.
Similarly, Group C and D employees had their allowances reduced from ₹250 to ₹150 per month.
With the new 24×7 availability mandate, employees may demand higher reimbursements for their mobile expenses, potentially increasing the government’s financial burden.
Public and Political Reactions
The directive has sparked mixed reactions among government employees.
While some officials acknowledge the need for constant availability, others argue that the policy infringes on their personal time and work-life balance.
AAP MLA Amritpal Singh Sukhanand has defended the decision, calling it a “pro-people” move that reflects the government’s commitment to efficient governance.
He stated that since employees receive telephone allowances, they should be available to serve the public at all times.
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