Udaipur Irrigation Department bans smart phones in office; Rs 500 fine

 State irrigation department has banned the use of smart phones in the office and declared a fine Rs 500 to be charged from the employees in case they carry it.
 
The Udaipur office of the water resource department issued an order on August 4 in which it has made clear that use of smart phones has been banned to prevent employees from using social media sites and ensure smooth work. An order signed by the executive engineer of water resource department says, "The use of I phone, Android Phones and Windows phone is completely banned for all the employees of the office with effect from August 8, 2017".

The order has become the talk of the town after many employees circulated it on social media. The order also mentions about the quantum of punishment. It says, "Necessary steps will be taken against an employee if he is found carrying a smart phone in the office. Also, a fine of Rs 500 will be imposed on an employee in case he violates the order.

The order clearly mentions that as an attempt to keep a smooth working atmosphere in the office staff should use landline phones for disseminating information. According to the Executive engineer Hemant Kumar Pandiya the order is to manage work environment in the office. "I have realised that employees waste a lot of time and energy over smart phones. It has become a tool for socialising. Employees can use normal mobile phones for communication and can use smart phones after office hours. This will help to maintain a work culture in the office."
 
However, employees in the office have shown their resentment towards the circular, "Nowadays social media has become important. Smartphones are not only about chatting but lots of other works are connected with it. When our Prime Minister is so positive about and dreams of a digital India at the same time we are going one decade back by banning it for official use", an employee said.
 
Interestingly visitors will be also not allowed to carry a smart phone inside the office premises. "In case any visitor has a smart phone, he or she needs to deposit it outside the office. In case they are found using a smart phone they will be also fined Rs 500 which will be deposited in the treasury," order mentions.