In surprise check, Prakash Javadekar finds I&B officials lacking punctuality

New Delhi: Many officials of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry were taken to task after Minister Prakash Javadekar, who in a surprise check early on Monday, found them lacking in punctuality.

Official sources said Javadekar reached Shastri Bhawan at 9 am and by 9.30 am began making rounds of the offices of the ministry and found that several officials had not reached the office while some sections were empty.

"It was found that many persons had not reached office even by 10 am and the minister pulled up those (who came late) for lack of punctuality as the general time of arrival is 9 am," an official said.

The sources said those officials who came late were given a message that the Minister had come to meet them and that they should report back to him.

The latecomers have been asked to furnish a day's Casual Leave, officials of the ministry told PTI, adding that all I&B officials have been told to report to office on time.

After the minister's inspection, Secretary, I&B, Bimal Julka also spoke to senior officials to emphasise on the need for punctuality among the staff. A circular was also issued to officials in this regard, the sources said.

The newly elected government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been laying emphasis on punctuality so as to serve the people better.