Pune, Maharashtra: Citizens in Pune are expressing growing dissatisfaction with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials’ inconsistent adherence to office hours, leading to disruptions in routine administrative tasks and causing inconvenience for those seeking assistance. The irregular work hours, coupled with unauthorized absences and a limited workweek, have fueled frustration among residents who feel neglected and underserved.
According to observations, senior officials and employees are frequently arriving well past eleven in the morning, hindering prompt access to essential services for citizens who arrive on time. The prescribed schedule for municipal officials typically begins at 9:45 am, concluding around 6:15 to 6:30 pm, with a designated lunch break from 2:30 to 3:00 pm. However, deviations from this schedule due to meetings, official visits, and discretionary work hours have become a common occurrence.
The inconsistency in office hours has sparked concerns over the perceived lack of accountability among municipal employees, with reports of certain employees being granted leniency for punctuality violations. The adoption of a five-day workweek and a surge in holidays have further restricted the availability of officials, leaving citizens with limited opportunities to address their grievances.
While senior officers, including the municipal commissioner and additional commissioner, are reportedly punctual, there are concerns about the overall efficiency and accountability of the municipal administration. Some department heads and employees are reportedly arriving at the office after half-past eleven, working for only one and a half hours before breaking for lunch at half-past noon.
This trend results in a hasty closure of the office by one o’clock, leaving citizens waiting for assistance. Frustration mounts as citizens expect officials to return promptly after lunch, only to find themselves waiting due to delayed arrivals. Productivity remains limited, with tea breaks extending for extended periods around 4:30 pm, and tasks wrapping up by 5:30 pm, resulting in only three to three and a half hours of effective work per day.
As citizens continue to bear the brunt of inefficiencies within the municipal administration, calls for enhanced accountability, adherence to office hours, and improved citizen services are gaining momentum.
