As the Swachh Bharat campaign to be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, draws out babus en masse to work on October 2, murmurs of discontent can be heard about their having to forego "not only a gazetted holiday but also a vacation coinciding with the long weekend".
However, coming as somewhat of a compensation for some of the harried government employee, was the announcement on Tuesday that all offices in and around India Gate will be closed post lunch on Wednesday. So, government personnel working in these offices have been asked to report at 10.30 am rather than 9 am as per an earlier order.
The "wasting" of a national holiday predictably has become the favourite topic of discussion in most government offices these days.
"Practically speaking we will end up working on Wednesday and Thursday. Most of the events planned in ministries are meant for photo opportunity," said a government official. Though as per the government circular the employees will take the Swachhata pledge, followed by cleaning of their officer premises and that the cleanliness work will be "voluntary", it is now a foregone conclusion that not many would like to risk the misadventure of not reporting to work.
On Tuesday, most of the officials across ministries were spotted busy making detailed plans for the Swachh Bharat campaign within their compounds. While some of the ministries are buying brooms in "bulk" others are outsourcing them from housekeeping agencies. "We will tomorrow (Wednesday) decide how many we need," said a joint secretary level official, who is charge of general administration of a ministry.
As per the latest circular of DoPT, 26 government buildings housing different ministries and departments will be shut as part of preparations for Swachh Bharat campaign that will see a nationwide launch by Modi on Thursday. These include North Block, which houses the ministries of home and finance, South Block where the PMO and defence ministry are headquartered, as well as Shastri Bhavan, Rail Bhavan, Krishi Bhavan, Udyog Bhawan and Vigyan Bhawan, etc. Even the offices located in Rashtrapati Bhawan and Parliament House will remain closed from 10 pm on Wednesday to 10.30 am on Thursday.
However, coming as somewhat of a compensation for some of the harried government employee, was the announcement on Tuesday that all offices in and around India Gate will be closed post lunch on Wednesday. So, government personnel working in these offices have been asked to report at 10.30 am rather than 9 am as per an earlier order.
The "wasting" of a national holiday predictably has become the favourite topic of discussion in most government offices these days.
"Practically speaking we will end up working on Wednesday and Thursday. Most of the events planned in ministries are meant for photo opportunity," said a government official. Though as per the government circular the employees will take the Swachhata pledge, followed by cleaning of their officer premises and that the cleanliness work will be "voluntary", it is now a foregone conclusion that not many would like to risk the misadventure of not reporting to work.
On Tuesday, most of the officials across ministries were spotted busy making detailed plans for the Swachh Bharat campaign within their compounds. While some of the ministries are buying brooms in "bulk" others are outsourcing them from housekeeping agencies. "We will tomorrow (Wednesday) decide how many we need," said a joint secretary level official, who is charge of general administration of a ministry.
As per the latest circular of DoPT, 26 government buildings housing different ministries and departments will be shut as part of preparations for Swachh Bharat campaign that will see a nationwide launch by Modi on Thursday. These include North Block, which houses the ministries of home and finance, South Block where the PMO and defence ministry are headquartered, as well as Shastri Bhavan, Rail Bhavan, Krishi Bhavan, Udyog Bhawan and Vigyan Bhawan, etc. Even the offices located in Rashtrapati Bhawan and Parliament House will remain closed from 10 pm on Wednesday to 10.30 am on Thursday.
Source:-The Times of India
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