The recent Memorandum from DoPT requiring mandatory checking-in on their digital system at workplaces is a good initiative in principle to deal with absenteeism of government officials. But surely some flexibility is called for in the case of those, like scientists & technical staff working under various scientific departments of the Govt, or emergency responders, or even drivers of senior officials, who are obliged to keep irregular hours. Eg., Depending on the research work they are engaged in, scientists often work beyond office hours, even up to midnight some days.

Rather than requiring them to turn up for work early the next day, they could be evaluated based on the total number of hours they put in. An 8 to 10 hour work day (or a 40 to 50 hour work week) should surely suffice to demonstrate their sincerity, rather than they time they punch the clock in the morning? @DrJitendraSingh

~ Shashi Tharoor, MP, (LS)