lunch-break playing games beyond the prescribed lunch hour and playing cards in the open
Observance of proper decorum by Government servants during the lunch-break playing games beyond the prescribed lunch hour and playing cards in the open to be discouraged.
It has been observed that a number of Government employees play cards on lawns outside the office buildings and other open spaces inside the North and South Blocks. These games generally degenerate into gambling and non-Government servants also sometimes participate in such games. The sight of groups of Government servants playing cards around and inside Government offices is not becoming and does not promote discipline and decorum in Government offices.
2. It has also been noticed that a large number of Government employees continue to move about or play games in the quadrangles and the lawns well beyond the prescribed lunch hour of half an hour. Besides this, the indoor games are continued till very late in the evening, which puts a strain on security arrangements in Government buildings.
3. It has, therefore, been decided that :-
(i) No Government employee should play cards on the lawn and such other places inside and outside office buildings;
(ii) The game of cards should be confined to the recreation rooms or places approved for such purposes;
(iii) No indoor games should be played in office buildings after 7.00 p.m. except on special occasions such as tournaments etc.
4. Persons found violating these instructions will be liable to disciplinary action.
5. It will be appreciated if departmental instructions in regard to the above decision are issued by the Ministries/Departments concerned and a copy endorsed to this Ministry for information.
[MHA DO No. 15/45/67-SSO, dated 11.08.1967]
It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Home Affairs that the lunch hour is not strictly observed by some staff and some of them are even found playing cards outside Government offices and buildings after the lunch hour. The Ministry of Finance etc. are, therefore, requested to ensure by periodical surprise checks that the staff under them do not overstay the lunch hour. They may also bring to the notice of the staff the undesirability of their playing cards in lawns, outside Government offices/buildings vide the Ministry of Home Affairs d.o. letter No. F.15/45/67-SSO dated 11th August, 1967, to all the Vigilance Officers (Decision No. 8) above.
[MHA OM No. 46/4/68-Ests.(A), dated 23.04.1968]
It has, however, been noticed that inspite of these instructions the staff in some offices are found to be playing card games etc. during lunch break in the lawns and open places outside the office premises as also on the lawns of the traffic islands and roundabouts located in busy thoroughfares close to the various office premises. They have also been seen loitering around even after the lunch break time is over. As all these necessarily create an unfavourable impression on the public the need for strict compliance with the existing instructions is all the more necessary in the context of various dignitaries visiting Delhi on the occasion of CHOGM. The Ministry of Finance, etc. are, therefore requested to bring these instructions once again to the notice of all concerned for strict compliance.
[DP & AR’s OM No. 11013/20/83-Estt. (A), dated 21.11.1983]