New Delhi: Newly appointed Information and Broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday surprised top officials at the ministry when he dropped in to check punctuality and cleanliness early this morning.
Explanations have been sought from officials who were found missing as to why they were not in their workplace on time after Naidu along with Minister of State Rajyavardhan Rathore made the unannounced surprise check at 9.30 AM.
"The Minister personally checked the rooms of several officers and their supporting staff. He also looked into the cleanliness of washrooms in the offices. He also inspected the condition of electrical fittings in the various rooms and corridors in the building," a senior I&B ministry official told PTI.
Naidu later tweeted about his visit and said, “Made a surprise check of attendance and cleanliness at Shastri Bhawan today at sharp 9:30 am. Directed concerned Joint Secretaries to review issues related to punctuality and cleanliness in the offices on daily basis.”
The minister also added that "explanation sought from those who were not present at the time of inspection."
Officials said that Naidu also emphasised that open cables should be avoided as it did not reflect a presentable and efficient working environment besides being a fire hazard.
A fire had destroyed several files in a I&B ministry office in Shastri Bhawan in 2014.
In a cabinet reshuffle last week, Naidu was given charge of I&B ministry beside Urban Development. He was earlier incharge of Parliamentary Affairs while the I&B ministry was held by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
