In a major move to overhaul workplace discipline and prioritize citizen services, the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) has officially banned the “unnecessary” use of mobile phones by its employees during office hours. The directive aims to eliminate distractions that have historically led to long queues and delayed file processing at public dealing counters.
The Directive Unpacked The order, issued by the Municipal Commissioner, applies to all tiers of staff, including permanent officers, contractual employees, and outsourced workers.
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Service Windows: Clerks and officials at windows for Property Tax, Birth/Death Certificates, and Suvidha Kendras are strictly prohibited from using smartphones for personal entertainment while citizens are waiting for service.
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Social Media Restrictions: Browsing Facebook, Instagram, or watching videos during duty hours will now be categorized as “misconduct” and “negligence of duty.”
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Emergency Protocols: While personal calls are discouraged, employees are allowed to use their phones for genuine family emergencies or for essential coordination with senior departments.
The Catalyst for Change The “Phones Away” policy follows a series of surprise checks where officials were found engrossed in their devices while residents faced hours of wait time.
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Public Feedback: During recent Samadhan Shivirs, many residents complained that the “digital distraction” of staff was the primary reason for the backlog in Property ID corrections and sanitation-related complaints.
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Administrative Vision: “Our goal is a ‘Smart and Responsive’ Karnal. Every minute an employee spends on a personal call is a minute stolen from a citizen’s service time,” noted a senior MC official.
Enforcement & Surveillance The KMC has not just issued a paper order; it has put teeth into the policy:
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Vigilance Squads: Special teams will conduct random walk-throughs of all departments.
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CCTV Monitoring: Existing office cameras will be used to monitor the conduct of staff at public-facing counters.
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Strict Penalties: First-time offenders will receive a formal warning, while repeat offenders face salary deductions or, in the case of contractual staff, immediate termination.
Public Impact Residents of Karnal have hailed the decision as a long-overdue reform. By ensuring that staff remain focused on their terminals, the KMC expects to reduce the average waiting time for basic certificates by at least 30% in the coming weeks.
