Panjim: In a bid to provide service to the public even on weekends, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has directed its staffers to attend come to work even on Saturdays; as per the requirement of heads of departments (HODs). The decision; however, is strongly objected by the workers, who have decided to go on strike from February 1.
CCP Commissioner IAS Ajit Roy in an order issued has directed all the staff members to attend the office duty on all Saturdays and if any employee requires weekly off/ casual leave, then the same should get sanctioned from HODs. The order also received consent from the Council members during its ordinary meeting held on Monday.
Justifying the order, Commissioner said that government, while appointing the employee on duty, does not give any undertaking that he or she would not be called on duty on Saturday. “We are public servants and our duty is to be there for public as and when required. We have to be present for public service,” he said adding ‘the order is not compulsion but as per the requirements of HODs and Corporaters’.
Roy said that if staffers perform their duty and dispose off their work within the stipulated time period without causing any hardship to the public, then he or she has nothing to complaint about. “HODs also needs to be serious and ensure that employees under them perform their duty sincerely and follow working hours,” he stated.
Commissioner was unanimously supported by the Councilors, who too feel the staffers are a bit lethargic towards their work.
Meanwhile, Goa Municipal Employees Association in a letter to Commissioner has demanded withdrawal of the order.
