Bhubaneswar: Cracking the whip on bureaucratic delays, Odisha govt has directed all departments to fix accountability for pending posting orders, warning that routine extensions in joining time would no longer be tolerated and may invite action against erring officials.The move comes amid concerns over inordinate delays in issuing detailed posting orders and joining instructions, with files being kept pending at various levels without adequate justification. Such delays have led to proposals seeking extension of joining time beyond six months, raising red flags in audit reviews.Flagging the issue as serious, the finance department in a letter issued to all department secretaries and other senior officers on Friday said such practices result in payment of ‘idle salary’ to employees without commensurate service, leading to avoidable financial burden and administrative complications.In a set of directives, departments have been asked to fix responsibility on officials whose inaction leads to extension of joining time beyond 30 days. The govt has also ordered recovery of idle salary from erring officers.The instructions further state that extensions beyond the admissible joining limit must not be granted as a matter of routine. Proposals involving extensions up to 120 days and particularly beyond six months will be subjected to strict scrutiny, said the finance department letter.To curb wastage, departments have been asked to ensure that employees, who have reported for duty but are awaiting posting orders, are assigned work during the interim period.
