Odisha Government Pushes for Accountability and Efficiency
In a bold and reform-oriented move, the Odisha government has launched a two-pronged campaign to overhaul the state’s bureaucratic structure. Aimed at instilling greater discipline, efficiency, and accountability, the state is set to enforce compulsory retirement for underperforming officials, while simultaneously tightening attendance norms across government offices. These initiatives reflect the government’s renewed commitment to improving governance by weeding out inefficiency and enforcing strict workplace discipline.
Forced Retirement for Inefficiency: A Clear Message from the Top
In a recent top-level secretarial meeting, Odisha’s Chief Secretary issued instructions for a comprehensive review of all government officials and employees, with a view to identifying those unable or unwilling to discharge their duties effectively. Departments have been directed to submit lists of such officials by August 7, in line with an earlier circular issued by the General Administration Department on September 24, 2019, which empowers the state to compulsorily retire incompetent staff.
The decision marks a decisive shift towards performance-based administration. Officials who fail to meet basic standards of conduct, efficiency, or commitment to duty will now face forced retirement, as part of a broader clean-up drive. The Chief Secretary’s office will personally monitor the implementation of this policy, ensuring strict compliance across all departments.
According to officials familiar with the review mechanism, this exercise will not only consider output and performance records, but also attendance, discipline, and integrity, making it a comprehensive appraisal of each employee’s service history.
Driving Punctuality: Biometric Attendance Now Mandatory
In a parallel development aimed at promoting workplace discipline, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department has ordered the installation of biometric attendance systems in all Revenue offices across the state. A directive issued to all district collectors mandates the immediate implementation of biometric systems to monitor and enforce punctuality from junior clerks to senior-level officers.
This initiative comes on the heels of a surprise visit by Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari to the Inspector General of Registration’s Office in Cuttack on July 21, where he observed widespread absenteeism and late arrivals. The unannounced inspection acted as a wake-up call, prompting urgent action to introduce real-time attendance tracking.
Biometric Rules: Strict Timings and Penalties
According to the government’s attendance directive, employees must now record both ‘Office In’ and ‘Office Out’ times using biometric devices. Each staff member is expected to clock at least 7.5 hours daily, excluding designated early business days. To enforce this, the rulebook lays down clear consequences for late arrivals and incomplete attendance records.
If an employee fails to register their ‘Office Out’ time, the day may be counted as absent. While occasional delays of up to 30 minutes for a maximum of three days per month may be excused by the Head of Office, further violations will lead to a deduction of one day’s Casual Leave for every three days of late attendance.
Departments are also instructed to ensure that biometric systems are linked to the NIC-developed Biometric Attendance System Portal, and that data is reviewed every fortnight by a designated officer. This structured approach aims to build a transparent and trackable attendance culture across government offices.
A New Era of Governance in Odisha
The Odisha government’s dual measures—cracking down on inefficiency through forced retirement and enforcing punctuality through biometric monitoring—signal a strong administrative reform agenda under the new leadership. These steps reflect a growing focus on merit-based governance, where sincerity, discipline, and performance are not just expected but enforced.
As the government tightens the screws on laxity, these reforms are poised to usher in a new era of accountability, productivity, and professionalism in Odisha’s public administration, ultimately benefitting citizens through faster, more efficient services.
(With agency inputs)
