Punjab Govt Orders Employees to Keep Phones On 24X7, Holidays Included

For government employees in Punjab, “after hours” has just lost all meaning. In an unprecedented move aimed at ensuring swift governance and uninterrupted public service, the Punjab Government has directed all its employees, from senior bureaucrats to ground-level staff, to remain reachable on their mobile phones at all times, including holidays and weekends.

The strict instructions, issued by the Department of Personnel on late Sunday night, mandate that no government employee should switch off their phones, divert calls, or be found “out of coverage” — not even after office hours. Officials at the level of Special Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Financial Commissioners, Principal Secretaries, and Secretaries have been asked to ensure compliance within their departments personally.