Karnataka Government Revises Office Hours Amid Heatwave, Faces Public Backlash
The Karnataka state government has implemented revised working hours for its offices in nine districts across the North Karnataka region in response to the ongoing severe heatwave. Under the new mandate, employees are required to report for duty by 8 am and are permitted to leave by 1.30 pm. This adjustment aims to protect staff from the extreme daytime temperatures and ensure operational continuity during cooler morning hours.
Districts Affected by the Revised Schedule
The revised timings apply to offices in Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadagiri, Raichur, Ballari, Vijayanagara, and Koppal, which fall under the Kalyana Karnataka region, as well as Vijayapura and Bagalkot in the Belagavi division. Government employees in these areas are reportedly benefiting from the early schedule, which allows them to avoid the peak heat of the afternoon.
Public Complaints and Allegations of Non-Compliance
However, the move has drawn significant criticism from the public, who allege widespread non-compliance by staff. Many citizens report that employees in several offices are arriving well after 9 am and departing before 1 pm, effectively shortening the workday beyond the intended hours. This has led to frustrations among residents, particularly farmers and other stakeholders who rely on government services.
Muttanna Nadageri, founder president of the Kalyana Naadu Vikasa Vedike in Kalaburagi, highlighted the issue, stating that most Group A and B officers are not adhering to the revised timings. "They come only around 10.30-11 am and leave by noon. We can't expect much work to be done during such short hours. Some officials even lie about meetings and leave office well before the stipulated hours," he claimed.
Observations from Advocacy Groups
Sangamesh Sagar, Vijayapura district president of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene, supported these claims, noting that only Group D staff are typically present in offices by 8 am. "Public, especially farmers, are the worst sufferers. According to our observation, only 20-30% of staff are present in government offices by 8 am," he said. This discrepancy has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the heatwave measures and their impact on public service delivery.
Demands for Extension and Administrative Action
In response to the revised hours, staff in other districts such as Gadag and Haveri have demanded similar adjustments, citing the uniform nature of the heatwave across the region. Meanwhile, administrative action has been initiated in some areas to address absenteeism. For instance, in Koppal, Deputy Commissioner Suresh Itnal recently reprimanded officials after finding many district offices without staff even at 10 am on April 21, underscoring the need for stricter enforcement.
The situation highlights the challenges in balancing employee welfare during extreme weather with the need for consistent public service. As the heatwave persists, the Karnataka government faces mounting pressure to ensure compliance with the revised timings and address public grievances effectively.
