Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 21
Nagaland Chief Minister, Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu today urged members of the civil services to rededicate themselves to the service of the people.
Speaking at the Civil Services Day celebration here, he said the day should provide an opportunity for self introspection and for chalking out future strategies to deal with emerging challenges. He also stressed on the need for integrity and devotion to duty. “If one can keep basic rules as our guiding principles, and remind ourselves of it every day as we start our daily work, we will never go astray and will surely become an exemplary government servant,” the CM said.
He further stated that there is a need for improving punctuality in the Secretariat. We have to lead by example if we want the directorates and the field offices to follow suit, he added. The CM also urged civil servants to stay true in their place of posting.
He then pointed to urgent reforms required including bringing the growth of expenditure on salaries and pensions under control; taking full advantage of the PIMS; making use of the limited resources available now by completing the ongoing projects on priority; focusing on how to avail funds from the Central Schemes; encouraging educated and semi- educated unemployed youth to find employment in the private sector both within and outside the state; and adopting more transparency in the process of awarding contracts.
Chief Secretary, Pankaj Kumar meanwhile stressed on efficiency and effectiveness. “When government officials do things, efficiency counts and when they lead effectiveness matters. The aim of both modes should be to achieve the desired outcomes. Therefore, it is important to keep track of things and review them from time to time,” he said.
Rev Dr S Chingmak Kejong mentioned that there has been an increase in the salaries of the officials but observed that those who have just ¼ of their salary are providing better work than those whose salaries have tripled. He also noticed that only 10% of the officials actually knew what communitization meant. Many a times the struggle exists because the people and the officials or within the officials are not on the same page, he said.
He further spoke on the Midday Meal (MDM), and informed that in his district, the women’s group and self help groups (SHGs) have contributed to the scheme by supplying food and fire wood. (With inputs from DIPR)
