RAIPUR,INDIA: On the very first day of the New Year, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai set a tone of discipline by advising state officers to report to work on time. The impact was evident as early as the next day, with employees receiving orders to adhere to punctuality. Shortly after, Principal Secretary to the CM, Subodh Singh, extended the directive to officers, emphasizing that they too must arrive on time.

Tuesday morning, witnessed a remarkable transformation, as officers began arriving even before duty hours commenced. The VIP gate of the Secretariat saw an unusual rush, with officers eager to clock in earlier than their peers. The change marks a stark departure from the previous practice, where tardiness among both employees and officers was common.

The punctuality drive initially faced resistance from employees and their unions, who blamed delayed buses for their lateness. In response, authorities tightened oversight of bus operators to ensure timely services. Once employees started arriving on time, similar expectations were set for officers, leading to the current wave of punctuality.

Raipur Collector Dr. Gaurav Singh has taken additional measures to improve time management and administrative efficiency. All officers and employees were asked to be present in their offices every Monday and Thursday from 10 AM to 1 PM, without fail.

District-level officers are required to send their attendance to the designated group by the scheduled office time of 10 AM.

A review meeting for all Patwaris will be held on the last Thursday of the month at 4:30 PM. The Additional Collector and officer in charge will prepare the necessary format for the review.

In the last week of each month, departmental review meetings will be conducted on designated days, such as Wednesday for the Agriculture Department, Tuesday for Women and Child Development and Health Department, Friday for Panchayat Department and Saturday for the Education Department and other departments.

The Congress led previous government had implemented a 10 AM to 5:30 PM duty schedule with two weekly holidays (Five Day working), but lax enforcement allowed tardiness to persist. The resulting inefficiencies often delayed public services.

With these new guidelines and a focus on punctuality, the Ministry-Secretariat and district offices are expected to witness improved efficiency and responsiveness, ultimately benefiting the public and reinforcing accountability among state officials.