Filching office items; public servants beware

By Ananda Kannangara

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The investigating unit of the Ministry of Public Administration will be reactivated to crack down on errant public servants who pilfer office items in their workplaces.

This was decided on by the Public Administration Ministry following numerous complaints from public institutions that employees remove stationery items including blank photocopy paper, carbon paper, pencils, pens, file covers and valuable computer spare parts from their workplaces for personal use.

Public Administration Minister Karu Jayasuriya told the Sunday Observer that a colossal sum of money is currently spent on stationery at public institutions and steps have already been taken to reactivate the Ministry's Investigating unit to crack down on errant public servants without considering their positions.

Surprise spot checks will be carried out.

It is also reported that in some institutions, certain workers were in the habit of claiming overtime without performing duties. Some workers were also in the habit of altering their time arrivals.

A senior Ministry official said the thumb impression system like in the Health Ministry will be introduced to all public sector institutions instead of the card system.