KOHIMA, March 20 (NEPS): The Minister for Social Welfare, Kiyanilie Peseye said that through “understanding and respect” among the officers and staffs in the department, they do a lot. He refuted the idea that the department was small saying that it was vast and big as it dealt with human services in the State. He stated that the department was not only acting as a service provider to the weaker sections of the society but also acting as a catalyst to bringing changes in society.
Addressing the Officers and staffs of the Social Welfare Department at the Directorate Conference Hall on Wednesday for the first time, the Minister narrated his long experience in the Government’s service before joining State politics.
“We should know how to respect senior officers and also all should develop the culture of understanding amongst the officers and staffs of the department,” he said.
The former Nagaland speaker for two consecutive terms said that after becoming the speaker of the Nagaland assembly, he did not have time to speak. “But today, I am here as a Minister and will always have time to speak to you,” he pointed out, asking them to not have any hesitation to meet him.
“We should learn lessons from such failures but we have to put efforts to move forward,” he added. “We have taken our salaries, so we have to do something.” Stating that people serving in the directorate and the secretariat at the capital were very lucky unlike serving in far flung areas, the Minister urged the officers and staff to be sincere, punctual and devoted to their service. “We have to maintain transparency and accountability in our department,” he stated adding, “Integrity is uprightness that will not compromise with expediency.”
Peseye said he would try his best to see that the department grew bigger and that the benefit should reach the targeted sections. “I don’t know how long I will be here as Minister with you, but so long I am here as your Minister, I will do my best for not only your interest but also for the interest of the people,” he said.
Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, Kihoto Sema also spoke on the occasion. He expressed his happiness on having a full-fledged Minister to head their department after many years and exuded confidence that they would be able to do their work vigorously.
Assuring the full cooperation from the officers and staffs of the department to the Minister, the Secretary said they would have a peaceful working environment for the next five years under their full-fledged Minister.
Additional Secretary, Additional Director T Merangtsungba Aier, other officers and staffs also shared of the department’s history and various works and schemes that had been carried out in the state.
President of the Western Angami Public Organization (WAPO), Vikehielie Victor also spoke on the occasion. Expressing his confidence that under his guidance the department would be able to deliver goods to the people, the WAPO president appealed for the officers and staff to extend their fullest cooperation to the Minister.
Earlier, Director of the Social Welfare Department Khevito T Shohe, while welcoming the Minister, revealed the pre conception of many that department was only working for providing “biscuits and milk.”He stated, “It was more than that.” He said that the department was earlier under a Parliamentary Secretary but now it would be under a full-fledged Minister. “So everything will be different from now onwards,” he said.
