Delhi Government Officials Face Email Compliance Crisis
The Delhi government is grappling with a significant administrative challenge that has nothing to do with funding or policy hurdles. Instead, the issue revolves around the simple act of checking emails. Officials across various departments, including those at the secretary level, are failing to log into their official email accounts regularly, leading to missed important communications.
Repeated Advisories and Notices Issued
Over the last two to three months, the IT department of the Delhi government has issued several notices and advisories to officials. These directives emphasize the necessity of daily logins to official email accounts to ensure that critical government communications are not overlooked. A senior government official highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that many official communications, including notices, instructions, and public-related updates, are being missed due to this negligence.
The official explained, "Many official communications are sent through official email IDs. However, it has been observed that officials in several departments are not checking their accounts frequently. This results in important government messages being ignored, which can impact public services."
Consequences of Non-Compliance
The IT department has reiterated that non-usage of official email accounts could lead to their deactivation. Since most government services and portals are linked to these accounts, deactivation would disable officials from accessing essential tools and resources. The official added, "Many have not logged in for more than three months. This non-compliance is taken seriously, and fresh directions have been issued to all departments to ensure adherence."
In response to the government's directives, the Public Works Department (PWD) issued a circular earlier this month. The circular noted that despite previous instructions, many officers and officials are still not checking their emails regularly. It emphasized the need for daily monitoring to avoid missing important notices and communications.
Government's Stance on Enforcement
The Delhi government is taking a firm stance on this issue. Non-compliance with email checking protocols will be viewed seriously, and departments are being urged to enforce these rules strictly. The goal is to maintain efficient communication channels within the administration, ensuring that all officials are up-to-date with government directives and public service requirements.
This situation underscores the broader challenges of digital governance in India, where even basic technological adherence can become a stumbling block for administrative efficiency.