Public servants using mobile phones during office hours has become the norm nowadays, observed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court while directing the State government to frame regulations for the usage of mobile phones and cameras inside office premises during office hours.
Justice S.M. Subramaniam observed that using mobile phones and taking videos inside the office was a grave misconduct. Officials working in government departments should not be allowed to use mobile phones inside the office for personal reasons. In case of an emergency, proper permission should be obtained from superiors to attend the calls.
The judge said in all circumstances, the mobile phones should be either switched off or kept in vibration/silent mode, without causing any disturbance or nuisance to other employees and the public visiting the offices. This should be the minimum discipline to be followed in government offices.
