The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, or AIIMS, has asked its security staffers not to fetch tea and refreshments for doctors and other staff during duty hours and said they should be used only for the purpose they are engaged for.

New AIIMS director, M Srinivas, on Thursday took a strong stand against senior staffers asking security guards to fetch tea and snacks for them during working hours and issued an advisory barring the practice. According to the statement, any security staff found taking refreshments or eating food during duty hours will be removed from the rolls of the AIIMS.

This decision was made after the director noticed one of the security staff carrying tea in a tray on the orders of hospital staff while visiting the Cardiothoracic and Neurosciences Center. “Such incidents not only compromise the security for which the staff has been deployed but also portray an adverse image of security services,” the memorandum read.”It is hereby directed that the security staff deployed for security and assistance of patients will not be used for any purpose other than for which they are engaged. The in-charge of the concerned office to which the security staff is posted as well as the respective cafeteria/canteen in-charge will be held responsible if any security staff is found carrying refreshments/tea/coffee, etc. during their duty hours,” it stated. “It will also be ensured by the respective faculty-in-charge and officer-in-charge of security that the security staff perform the duties as specified in the tender agreement for watch and ward services,” the memorandum added.