PANAJI: The Goa government has issued a circular warning employees against engaging in non-official activities such as birthday celebrations, farewell parties, gaming, or private gatherings during office hours within government premises.
The Department of Personnel has issued a notice stating that it had observed staff in various departments engaging in non-official activities, including prolonged celebrations and gaming, within office premises. These disruptions, the notice states, affect workflow, productivity, and inconvenience citizens visiting government offices for official work.
The notice draws attention to Rule 3(1) of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964, which requires government servants to maintain absolute integrity, devotion to duty, and refrain from any conduct unbecoming of a public servant.
“Such personal gatherings amount to conduct unbecoming of a Government servant, thus attracting disciplinary action,” the notice warns.
Departments and employees have been instructed to ensure that official premises and office hours are used exclusively for administrative work and public service.
The notice also places responsibility on Heads of Departments to enforce decorum, discipline, and punctuality among staff. It cautions that failure to do so will invite punitive action against the respective Head of Department.
