A Union Minister's Monday Morning Check Finds and Penalizes Slackers

New Delhi: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar pulled a surprise check at the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and was not pleased with what he discovered.

At 9.15 am, a walk-through revealed a penurious attendance.  Mr Javadekar had the empty cubicles and seats photographed and tersely asked for the absentees to be informed that the minister had asked to meet them.

The late-comers lined up outside his office and were asked to apply for a day's leave by the minister.

Around 40 people fell into this slackers category.

Since he took office in May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has vowed "maximum governance and minimum government," has asked his administration to prioritize efficiency by reducing delays and cutting red tape. Bureaucrats have been ordered to focus on the swift disposal of files; civil servants have been warned they will be held responsible and penalized for delays in decision-making.

The PM has also asked for government offices to be cleaned up with new paint jobs and the removal of discarded furniture and floor-to-ceiling stacks of files that found in corridors.