Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Government has tightened attendance regulations for its employees, making it clear that merely marking attendance will not be considered sufficient if an employee remains absent from duty during official working hours. The state has reiterated the enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” principle against employees found unauthorisedly absent, along with disciplinary action wherever applicable.
According to directions issued by the Department of Personnel, all government departments have been instructed to treat employees as being on unauthorised absence if they mark attendance but leave their workplace or fail to perform their assigned duties without prior permission.
Government stated that employees found absent without authorisation will not be entitled to salary for the period during which no work was performed. The directive emphasises that attendance records alone cannot substitute for actual discharge of official responsibilities.
Departments have also been asked to initiate appropriate disciplinary proceedings against erring employees under relevant service rules. The government said it had received reports of employees marking attendance and subsequently remaining absent during office hours, causing inconvenience to citizens visiting government offices for essential services.
The latest order comes amid ongoing protests by employee organisations over DA/DR and other service-related demands. Government employees observed demonstrations and mass leave on September 8. The directive reinforces the state government’s position that participation in protests or absence from duty without proper authorisation will not be treated as regular attendance.
Punjab Government had earlier issued similar instructions following employee protests on August 27. By reiterating the “No Work, No Pay” policy, the government has underlined its focus on accountability, ensuring that employees remain available during working hours and public services are not disrupted.
The move sends a clear message that unauthorised absence from duty can lead to both financial penalties and disciplinary consequences.
