The Punjab government has issued a fresh directive requiring all state employees to remain available on their mobile phones 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including after office hours, on Sundays, and even on public holidays. This move aims to ensure that urgent administrative work is not disrupted at any time.
In a circular signed by the Special Secretary (Personnel), the government has made it clear that officers of the rank of Secretary and above must ensure that no employee under their supervision switches off their phone. The notification stresses that the availability of officers is critical for the timely execution of essential administrative tasks and the continued delivery of public services.
“It has been noticed that many officials are not available on their mobile phones after office hours. Their phones are switched off, in flight mode, out of coverage area, or on call divert,” the directive stated.
The government emphasized that some administrative work requires immediate approval, making it necessary for officers to remain reachable at all times. Senior officials — including Special Chief Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries, Financial Commissioners, Principal Secretaries, and Secretaries — have been directed to enforce this mandate within their respective departments.
This is not the first time the Punjab government has introduced such a measure. In 2017, during his tenure as Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh issued a similar order to ensure uninterrupted communication. To support this policy, the government had agreed to cover or refund employees’ phone bills, recognizing the additional burden placed on staff members.
Historically, phone allowances have been a contentious issue. In 2012, the Akali Dal-BJP government introduced a mobile allowance for government employees. However, by 2020, facing budgetary constraints, the Amarinder Singh administration decided to rationalize spending by cutting these allowances by nearly half, saving the state around Rs 40 crore annually. The revised allowances were:
- Group A employees: Reduced from Rs 500 to Rs 250 per month
- Group B employees: Reduced from Rs 300 to Rs 175 per month
- Group C and D employees: Reduced from Rs 250 to Rs 150 per month
With this latest directive, the Punjab government once again highlights its commitment to maintaining administrative efficiency and responsive governance, even beyond traditional office hours.
