Tanvi Pilane
Published on: March 17, 2022 at 10:47 IST
Justice S.M Subramaniam of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently criticized the use of Mobile Phones by Public Servants during office hours.
Government authorities were directed by the Court to frame regulations in line with the Tamil Nadu Government Servant’s Conduct Rules, 1973.
A Plea by a Superintendent in the Tiruchirapalli Regional Workshop (Health) seeking the revocation of her suspension and the quashing of the order passed by the Director, Tamil Nadu State Health Transport Department, was being heard by the Court.
The Secretary to Government (Health, Medical, and Family Welfare Department), the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, and the Director (Tamil Nadu State Health Transport Department) have been directed by the Court to issue a circular to subordinate officers across Tamil Nadu.
The Circular is regarding the regulation of the usage of Mobile Phones and Mobile Cameras by employees during office hours by the employees.
Those who neglect the Circular must be subjected to strict action under the relevant Tamil Nadu Government Servants’ Conduct Rules,1973, the Court said.
The officials were asked to comply with the orders of the Court within four weeks.
The Petitioner had been using her mobile camera to film employees and other officials inside the office premises and continued to do so even after repeated warnings from the Superior Officer.
The Petitioner attacked the Superior officer and a watchman when her phone was taken away from her by the Superior officer and handed to the watchman to prevent her from filming.
The Court quashed the Petitioner’s plea and ordered an investigation into the allegations against her.
The Court remarked that the use of mobile cameras inside office premises disrupts the work and causes disturbance to other officials.
The Court also added that the use of mobile phones inside the office is a ‘Grave Misconduct’.
Also read:
Government Servant’s Conduct Rules, 1973.