Should Babus work more hours?
WILL Prime Minister Modi bring in a new work culture among his babus? Many Government employees believe that a Government job is a social welfare policy of the State and work is a personal choice. Punctuality is an unknown trait in many Government offices - even those who are very punctual are punctual only when leaving the offices not when arriving at the offices. The five-day week introduced nearly thirty years ago has made the offices places for recreation. Employees who operate from places other than their work stations virtually work only for three days. They don't arrive on Mondays and leave on Thursdays. Many employees leisurely drop into the offices by 1130 in the morning and troop out by 4.30 in the evening. And this happens right in Delhi where the Prime Minister, President and all the top brass live and work. The giant machinery of Government works because there are still some dedicated people who work extra hours. The Government is full of willing employees - Half the employees are willing to work and the other half are willing to let them work.
All this may change soon - it is heard that the Government is planning to do away with the five day week or if it is continued, babus will be asked to put in extra hours of work.