HYDERABAD: Realising that Internet connection provided to them are being misused blatantly by its staff, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has blocked Internet service to the heads of several departments barring a few key sections.
It was found that a large number of clerks, computer operators, peshi staff, superintendents and junior and senior assistants were browsing Internet and watching YouTube, chatting on Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, games and other unauthorised websites. It came to light that the time they spend on work is less than the time they spend using the Internet. As a result, the civic body’s day-to-day work is hampered. Moreover, at crucial times, heads of departments find it difficult to use the Internet for official purpose as it slows down the speed due to heavy use by the staff.
An IT official confirmed that Internet facility to the staff of various GHMC wings was blocked until further orders. This restriction is aimed at checking the misuse of Internet and online chatting for hours together.
Commissioner B Janardhan Reddy issued instructions for disconnection of the Internet service to the staff. Now, only ‘intranet’_ a private office line network accessible only to the staff, is available to them.
Under radar
Desktop computers are being replaced with tablets for office work and their use is being monitored by the Centre for Good Governance (CGG).
Information and services from GHMC’s internal IT systems such as e-office are available to the staff.