Mandatory Digital Attendance Enforced for Government Staff from Feb 25
The Cabinet Division has made digital attendance and mandatory entry in designated registers compulsory, issuing fresh instructions on timely office arrival and departure. The BNP government has enforced the new rule from February 25 for officials and employees of government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions.
On Tuesday, February 25, the Cabinet Division sent letters containing the directive to senior secretaries/secretaries of all ministries and divisions, as well as to divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners.
The letter stated that under the Government Employees (Regular Attendance) Rules, 2019 and the Secretariat Instructions, 2024, all officials and employees of government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions are obligated to be present at office and leave according to the prescribed schedule.
Requesting necessary measures and instructing subordinate offices and agencies accordingly, the letter further stated that all field-level officials and employees must obtain permission from their respective authorities before leaving their workplace on weekly or other holidays.
Earlier, an office order issued on Monday, February 23, by the Law and Justice Division mentioned that under the Government Employees (Regular Attendance) Rules, 2019, absence from the workplace without permission, leaving office without approval, and late attendance are considered punishable offenses. At the same time, the rules made it mandatory to record departures in the designated register and ensure digital attendance.
According to the order, all officials and employees must be present at their respective offices by 9:00 am on working days. No one will be allowed to leave the office before the end of official hours. During the month of Ramadan, leaving office before 3:30 pm is prohibited, and after Ramadan, departure before 5:00 pm will not be permitted. In case of official or urgent necessity, employees must obtain permission from the head of the relevant wing (Joint Secretary/Solicitor) before leaving the office.
DBTech/FI/EK/OR
