SHILLONG: The working day for government employees on Thursday amid Christmas celebrations did not prove much productive.
While some were seen standing outside the Secretariat for long hours, others were sitting at teashops.
In many offices, there was thin attendance and employees were engaged in playing games either in their mobile phones or on computers.
Even those who wanted to work were distracted due to the festive mood.
“We were forced to attend office and we had no other choice but to come. It was an interruption as we had to rush back from the Christmas celebrations,” an employee said.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who had insisted that employees should attend office, however, was not seen in the office on Thursday.
Only a few IAS and MCS officers were present at the Secretariat buildings.
Another employee said two Saturdays either in December or in January should have been used instead of December 28 and 29, which should have been compensatory holidays like in the past.
Some employees said since there was no provision for causal leave or earned leave on Thursday and Friday, they were compelled to come to office.
After Friday’s work, the employees will have just three more days’ recess before joining office on January 2.
