JOIN USDespite an advisory from the central government asking employees to attend office on Gandhi Jayanti, civic officials have found innovative ways to avoid reporting to work on the national holiday.
From attending an outstation family function with a new son-in-law to fulfilling an outing wish of children to using travel tickets booked in advance, the list of reasons goes on for skipping office on Thursday.
“I have to attend a family function that I cannot miss,” wrote a head of department working with the South Delhi Municipal Corporation while applying for leave. His leave was sanctioned.
A senior official with the South Corporation said some employees have indeed applied for leave. “We are trying to inculcate the principles of Mahatma Gandhi in people and if they don’t want to come willingly, we aren’t going to force them,” the official told Deccan Herald. “But we can’t term their reasons as excuses as they must have made ticket bookings and travel plans in advance.”
An official with the North Corporation said, “It’s my first outing with my daughter and son-in-law after I became a grandfather, so I will take leave tomorrow.”
An official in the East Corporation said some employees want leave to attend outstation weddings. “One employee said he had promised his children to take them on a vacation, so he cannot work on October 2,” the official said.
A sanitation department official in the East Corporation said the contractual staff may not turn up on Thursday. Subordinates of senior officials are also helping them to keep their leave plans under wraps.
When Deccan Herald visited an office at 9 am on Wednesday, the staff there said their boss has “gone out for an inspection”. Later, they said the boss was on a leave.
In all the three corporations, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan will start at 9 am on Thursday.“At 9.45 am, we will take oath of cleanliness. After that we will carry on with the sanitation drive,” a South Corporation official said.
Many civic workers said the circular for compulsory attendance has spoilt their plans to enjoy a long weekend with Dusshera holiday on Friday and Eid-ul-Juha holiday on Monday.