New Delhi: Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday held a press conference where he took questions on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in Parliament on Wednesday, and other issues.
The direction came after the minister paid an unannounced visit to some of the offices in Nirman Bhawan and found them empty.
Though as per rule all government employees must report to work by 9am, this norm is largely violated.
Sources said that since the Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the standard by reaching office early, now almost every department has issued a circular for strict adherence of punctuality.
"Earlier only stricter secretaries used to take this seriously. Now it has become a routine for joint secretary rank officers to check who are coming late," said a JS level officer.
"The PM expressed need for change in work culture and attitude. I went to office at 9:15 am and I did not find many on their seats. I told them they should try to reach before 9am. Work offices will also be cleaned," he said in the press meet.
"It was my first day. I did not want to take action against any employee. Though I received many employees late to office," said the minister.
