Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Apr 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked civil servants to make the best of innovation and technology in implementing Government policies.
He also said that participatory democracy is a must for the development of the nation.
Addressing bureaucrats at the conclusion of the two-day Civil Services Day function, the Prime Minister said the administration’s aim in the pre-Independence era was to keep the Englishman safe, but today it has to ensure that a common man is provided relief.
He stressed the need for strategic thinking in implementing Government policies, and also asked bureaucrats to put to use innovation and technology which can become additional strength.
He said “Janbhagidari” (people’s participation) is a cornerstone of the success of a country such as India.
The Prime Minister said priority should be given to people’s interests during formulation of policies or new laws.
Earlier, he released two books — “New Pathways”, a compilation of success stories on implementation of identified Priority Programmes and Innovations and “Aspirational Districts: Unlocking Potentials” — an account of strategies for transforming aspirational districts.
He also conferred “Awards for Excellence in Public Administration” for effective implementation of identified Priority Programs and Innovation to districts and implementing units, and other central and state organisations at the function.
The awards have been instituted to acknowledge, recognize and reward the exemplary work for people’s welfare by districts and organisations of the Central and state Governments.
“Motivation is always essential for better performance,” the Prime Minister said after giving away the awards to civil servants.
Earlier, Union Minister and MoS In-Charge Ministry of Personnel Dr Jitendra Singh, in his address, emphasized the point that in the last three to four years, governance has been made more “citizen-participatory”. To cite an example, he referred to the Grievance Cell under the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (ARPG) in the Ministry of Personnel, which was virtually inactive when this government took over in 2014. But today, it is vibrant with a CPGRAMS Portal, Dashboard and functioning within fixed timelines. As a result of the prompt and sensitive response from the Department, people are feeling encouraged to register their grievances in increasing numbers and the number of grievances per annum has increased from 2 lac in 2014 to 16 lac in 2017.
Dr Jitendra Singh also referred to the Pension Department which has adopted hi-tech methods including Pension Portals for the convenience of the increasing number of pensioners. He said, Prime Minister Modi’s decision to fix the minimum pension at Rs. 1000/- has been unanimously hailed across the country.
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