Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to strengthen administrative accountability, the housing and urban development department issued new directives for urban local bodies (ULBs), focusing on professional conduct and staff punctuality.
Principal secretary Usha Padhee instructed all ULB officials to maintain strict attendance standards and asked the executive officers (EOs) to ensure proper implementation. The directive emphasises the immediate implementation of biometric attendance systems across all ULBs.
“The time has come for a cultural shift in governance — one that reflects integrity, responsiveness, and efficiency,” Padhee said, adding that punctuality and professional behaviour should be non-negotiable.
The department’s comprehensive reform includes the installation of CCTV surveillance systems on the office premises to monitor staff behaviour and public interactions. These measures aim to enhance transparency and improve service delivery to citizens.
The department clarified that while the new rules will be strictly enforced, flexibility may be considered in exceptional circumstances.