Karnal DC bars staff from using mobiles in office

Employees working across various branches of the DC office in the Mini Secretariat have been prohibited from using mobile phones during office hours.

Officials said the step had been taken to boost productivity and to maintain official secrecy. Staff have been instructed to use landline phones for all communication, whether for official or personal purposes.

Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh confirmed the ban, saying mobile phones must be deposited either at the office of the City Magistrate or with the respective unit heads. This follows a previous order from the DC that enforced a formal dress code, banning jeans and requiring trousers and shirts, which is now observed in all sections.

The decision to restrict mobile phone use came after reports that phones were being misused for watching Instagram reels and browsing other social media content, leading to wasted time and disrupted workflow. The ban aims at minimising distractions and enhancing the efficiency of public service delivery.

The DC said directive applied to all branches, including offices of the DC, ADC, SDM, City Magistrate, DRO, Tehsildar and Naib Tehsildars.

Exceptions have been granted to 24 employees, including branch heads, personal assistants and stenographers as well as staff at the SARAL Kendra, who require mobile phones for OTP authentication to access the portal.

City Magistrate Monika said employees were now not permitted to use mobile phones during duty hours. “Each branch has been directed to ensure strict compliance. The ban will help prevent leaks of confidential information,” she said, citing instances where employees had photographed official letters.

Some staff members find the ban contradictory, especially amid the government’s push for digital. They pointed out that many branches rely on WhatsApp for swift sharing of reports, replies and correspondence and fear the ban could hinder operational efficiency.

Sushil Gurjar, district president of the Sarv Karamchari Sangh, criticised the move as an “attack on the freedom of employees” and demanded that the ban be revoked.