Bengaluru, The Karnataka government has made it mandatory for its officials and employees to reside at their designated headquarters and introduced a geofencing-based night-time attendance system through the ‘Kartavya’ mobile application to ensure prompt public service.
The new system has been introduced by the Department of Praja Seva with the approval of the Chief Minister to safeguard public interest and ensure compliance with service rules. The order aims to ensure that government officials and employees remain accessible within their jurisdiction, enabling the timely delivery of public services and effective implementation of development works. Commissioners and District Health Officers will be required to review the night-time attendance reports every month. The decision follows proceedings by the Upa Lokayukta, during which it was found that several government employees were not residing at their designated headquarters and were instead managing administrative work from distant places. This had reportedly resulted in delays in attending to duties and caused considerable inconvenience to the public.
As a first step, the government will implement the system on a pilot basis for all doctors working in taluk hospitals and Primary Health Centres under the Health and Family Welfare Department from November 1, 2026. Officials found not residing at their designated headquarters without permission from the competent authority will face disciplinary action under the applicable civil service rules, the order dated October 17 said.
Based on the outcome of the pilot project, the government plans to extend the Kartavya app-based attendance system to employees in other departments and cadres, said an order issued by Praja Seva Department Principal Secretary Harsh Gupta. The proposal to extend the app, which was hitherto limited to permanent government employees, to contractual and outsourced staff has been approved by the Chief Minister, according to a government circular.
