Buzz back at secretariat as govt depts resume work at full strength
Bhubaneswar: The offices of the state government began functioning at full capacity on Tuesday, after almost two months. Most departments at the secretariat and the Kharavel Bhawan saw nearly 80 to 90 per cent of their staff turning up for work. Social distancing norms were strictly maintained, official sources said.
“Almost all the departments have started functioning, with full attendance. Barring a few employees who have gone to their native places because of the lockdown, everyone else attended office today (Tuesday). All employees are adhering to the guidelines of the government on Covid-19,” said Bibekananda Samal, general secretary, Odisha Secretariat Service Association.
During lockdown 3.0, only 15 ‘critical’ departments of the total 43 departments were allowed to operate with up to 50 per cent of their staff on a roster basis. This allowed the government to attend to essential works, while maintaining social distancing norms. Other departments were allowed to operate with up to 30 per cent of their staff.
“Many departments had been categorised as partially critical departments and their work was being affected because of low attendance. Now, all employees have to be at office for extra hours for one or two weeks to clear pending work. Field-level offices have been asked to operate at full strength,” said an additional secretary-rank officer on the condition of anonymity.
The chief minister’s office was running at full strength during all phases of the lockdown, but ministers are yet to attend office as many of them are in their respective constituencies. Besides, visitors’ entry to the secretariat is yet to resume, as is entry of mediapersons.
Employees having symptoms of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) should not attend office, and should apply for leave instead, an advisory issued by the state general administration department said. “Also, government employees residing within containment zones are advised against attending office,” it added.
The controlling officers of all departments have been asked to enforce social distancing protocols. Where social distancing is not possible due to lack of office space, the departments have been asked to resort to roster arrangements so that government work does not suffer. Subordinate offices at the state and the district levels have also resumed normal functioning.