Sk Sohrab Hossain, Jashore

Cooking during office hours inside the Jashore District Social Services Department office has drawn strong criticism from local citizens, who say it disrupts the official environment of a crucial government service provider.

During a visit to the office on Wednesday afternoon, this correspondent found curries being cooked on a gas stove in a space adjacent to the Deputy Director's room. Cooking equipment, including pots and pans, was scattered around while regular official activities continued as usual.

Staff members revealed that several employees run a mess system to prepare lunch, and meals are cooked inside the office building every day. According to those involved, the practice has been going on for a long time.

Asaduzzaman, an office assistant at the department, said nine employees organized the lunch arrangement together. "Food is cooked here inside the office every day," he added.

Local conscious citizens and non-governmental organization (NGO) workers expressed strong concern over the setup, arguing that turning a government office into a household kitchen compromises discipline and professionalism.

They noted that cooking smoke, odors, and related activities during business hours adversely affect the working environment, especially in an office visited daily by members of the public seeking social services.

"There can certainly be lunch arrangements for employees, but cooking inside the department during office hours does not align with the standard environment of a government facility. Higher authorities should address this urgently," an NGO worker said on condition of anonymity.

Echoing similar concerns, Soljar Rahman, a member of the Committee for Concerned Citizens (CCC), said, "Creating a residential atmosphere inside a government office by cooking meals is inappropriate. The environment of a public office should remain professional and orderly."

When contacted, Aniruddha Kumar Roy, Deputy Director of the Jashore Social Services Department, said he recently assumed charge of the office and was made aware of the situation.

"Cooking inside the office premises will be stopped promptly," he assured.