Neeraj Rohmetra
JAMMU, Feb 4: After 30 years of service, two top IAS officials of the State, who are serving as Secretaries with the Government of India (GoI), went down the memory lane and inspected the pace of development in the small towns, where they started their career as bureaucrats.
The visit is part of a first-of-its-kind initiative of the Narendra Modi-led BJP Government, wherein all Secretary-level officers have been directed to visit districts of their first posting and make an assessment on the progress these places have made, so far over the years.
On January 22, this year Madhav Lal, Secretary, Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises visited Bhaderwah, where he had served as SDM during his first posting and on February 1, Union Home Secretary, Anil Goswami, who resigned from the services today, visited Reasi, where he had served as SDM.
Official sources said, “while Madhav Lal served as SDM Bhaderwah from August 4, 1979 to April 24, 1982, his counterpart Mr Goswami was SDM Reasi from October 1, 1981 to December 1, 1983.”
“Both the bureaucrats have been directed by the Centre to spend some time in these places and on their return submit a report on the ground situation and recommend steps to improve infrastructure”, sources asserted.
Sources said, “ahead of the visit of these Secretaries, the ground level officials had also prepared a report on the problems that have been prevalent in the areas, since the last 30 years”.
The exercise is part of the PM Modi’s initiative for improving the Government’s efficiency. The directive was issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) in the first week of January, this year. The directive comes two months after the Prime Minister met Secretaries of all Ministries and Departments and suggested that they must visit the place of their first posting for a couple of days as this would help them provide several new policymaking insights.
There are 93 Secretaries at the Centre and all have been directed to visit places, where they served several years ago.
“The prime objective is to make a ground assessment of the overall development in these areas over the past 30 years and also to review as to how the Central schemes are being implemented in States and recommend changes required to make them more successful. The bureaucrats have been told to meet the officials at the ground level and record their observations in a report”, sources asserted.
The communication by DoPT asked all Secretaries to “feel the difference” and recommend changes to make the Central schemes more beneficial and impactful. The letter also said that officials should visit the districts of the State, where they have served for about one year.
Even Cabinet Secretary, Ajit Seth visited the place, where he had first served as a young IAS officer more than 30 years ago.
For most of the Secretaries, this would be the first ever visit after almost 30 years. “The basic thought is that they go back to the roots and see if things have changed for better or what more is needed to be done to improve the existing situation. The officials have been told to meet as many people and interact with the ground-level officers, based on which they will send their observations”, said official sources.
It is pertinent to mention here that Secretary, Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Madhav Lal on January 22, this year visited Bhaderwah and chaired a meeting with officers to review the various development works in Bhaderwah. During the meeting, Mr Lal impressed upon officers to work out ways to contribute for betterment of the society and asked them to make optimum use of the available resources to provide better services to the people.
The Secretary inspected various sections of the SDM office and tehsil office Bhaderwah, besides took a round of the town and inspected the newly constructed bus stand near GHSS (Boys), Bhaderwah and other development works.
On February 1, Union Home Secretary, Anil Goswami visited Reasi and reviewed the developmental activities in the areas. Addressing the meeting, Mr. Goswami said that he had come here to listen to the people’s problems and assured that he would take up their demands with the concerned authorities. He added that a comprehensive report of his tour would be sent to the Government of India as early as possible.
Mr Goswami also visited Pouni and its adjoining areas the next day and chaired a meeting of locals, members of Panchayati Raj Institutions from various villages of Pouni and all District Officers to listen to developmental needs of the people.
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