Karnataka government circular asks women employees not to loiter around

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Legislature Secretariat has kicked up a controversy with a circular directing women staffers not to "unnecessarily" loiter around and employees not to speak loudly on mobile phones, evoking sharp criticism over the "sexist diktat".

The circular has also asked officers and employees to practice discipline at work and warned them of action against gathering in groups, talking loudly on mobile phone and unnecessarily walking in the corridors during office hours in the Assembly.

It says "some officials and employees of this Secretariat are still found gathering in groups, talking loudly on mobile phone, and women employees unnecessarily walk in the corridors during office hours. This type of behaviour will not only disturb official functioning but also reflects indiscipline."

Deprecating the circular, some of the women employees said as part of their duties they have to move from one place to another and if it is described as loitering or wasting time, it is very unfortunate and ultimately work will suffer.

Referring to an earlier circular issued in 2011 that warns of action against such activities considering it as "disturbance to official functioning and indiscipline", the Secretariat on May 21 has issued the fresh circular in this regard.

It has also called on the officials and employees to cooperate in official activities by following "self- discipline".