Employee absenteeism rampant

Kathmandu, February 5

The National Vigilance Centre today said significant numbers of civil servants were found absent during duty hours in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur districts.

The NVC, which recently inspected government offices and corporations in the two districts, found 107 employees — 77 in Kathmandu and 30 in Bhaktapur absent from their offices during duty hours.

According to NVC Spokesperson Bishnu Raj Lamichhane, 132 offices —105 in Kathmandu and 25 in Bhaktapur were inspected last week. He added that 28 civil servants in Kathmandu were also found violating the dress code. The NVC has recommended action against as many as 15 employees in Bhaktapur who had not donned the designated uniform.

Likewise, eight employees were found absent in Dang, 10 in Pyuthan, 18 in Baglung, 10 in Parbat, 108 in Morang and 18 in Gorkha during inspections made one month ago.

“We have recommended action against absentees from the concerned government offices,” said NVC official Narayan Dahal. He added that the NVC would follow up on those offices regarding action taken against absent civil servants.

According to Dahal, the concerned offices should immediately seek explanation from employees absent during duty hours.

He said further action should be determined if the explanation and reasons furnished were not found satisfactory.

Dahal was also concerned about employees not following the dress code during office hours in all government offices. “We have also directed the concerned agencies to implement the dress code,” he added. The NVC did not inspect offices such as the court, and offices of constitutional bodies.