Attendance still thin in Nagaland govt offices

DIMAPUR, Jan 7 – The Nagaland capital is apparently still suffering from the Christmas and New Year hangover with poor attendance being reported at all government offices, including the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, while the main town too remains uncharacteristically quiet.

Official sources revealed that despite the government -declared holidays of December 23 to 27 for Christmas and December 31 to January 2 for New Year, the attendance has been very less during these days.

Though the peons open the offices during the morning office hours, the chairs remain empty with barely an employee turning up at the office.

A government employee, who did not want to be named, said absenting oneself from office without applying for leave during this period has become a trend, almost like an extra Christmas bonus, as even the heads of departments start attending office only in the second week of January.

Another senior officer of a department informed that doors of his office have opened but the employees are not attending because of which no files are being moved and official works remain at a standstill.

However, Mokokchung appears to be leading the way in adopting a better work culture among government servants. According to a DPRO Mokokchung report, with celebrations over, normal work in all offices in Mokokchung town has ensued again. And in a move to ensure normal functioning of the offices, officers from the district administration are reportedly conducting surprise checking in all government offices.

EAC Establishment, Mokokchung, Arikumba said office attendance is satisfactory and normal office work has gradually picked up in the town.

Meanwhile, Kohima being the home for a sizeable number of denizens from elsewhere, including students, businessmen and employees, has been witnessing fewer people around the town and normal life in the State capital is yet to kick start. The streets, usually teeming with people and vehicles, are almost empty. Coupled with the chilling weather, business establishments, barring a few, are also opening late in the mornings and closing down early between 3-4 pm.