Government employees in India's Kerala served show-cause notice for making reel in office

The Thiruvalla Municipality secretary in the Indian southern state of Kerala served eight employees with a show-cause notice after their social media reel went viral. The incident happened in Pathanamthitta district. As per local reports, the employees were found to have shot the reel during office hours, using office infrastructure. They reportedly work in the revenue section.

The municipality secretary has asked them to explain their actions as they allegedly malign the image of the municipality. The notice reportedly warned that if their explanation is unsatisfactory, strict disciplinary action will be taken against them.

The reel shows the employees singing and dancing in the office. The employees had scripted the reel and then sang and danced in the office.

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However, they got clearance later, news agency PTI reported.

Minister MB Rajesh of the State Local Self-Government Department was alerted about the incident and during the probe, it was found that the reel was shot on a Sunday - a holiday. The employees were called in for emergency work related to the monsoon season.

"It is understood that the employees were called in on a holiday due to emergency circumstances related to the monsoon season, as per the Collector's instructions. The information received also made it clear that the reel was shot without affecting office work," it said.

After reviewing the incident, Rajesh directed the relevant authorities to refrain from pursuing disciplinary action against the workers for filming a reel on a Sunday, the news agency reported.

He further appreciated the employees who come to work even on Sundays. The Minister said the government fully supports all creative and cultural activities of employees.

"However, they should be done without affecting official duties, causing inconvenience to the public, and violating service rules. All such activities should be conducted only during non-duty hours. The government has already instructed that no celebrations or events should be organised in offices during working hours, which could hinder work," Rajesh said as quoted by the news agency.

(With inputs from agencies)