STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The State Government has issued guidelines on headquarters leave for deputy commissioners and urged them to be in their districts for most of the time.
Chief Secretary Paban Kumar Barthakur wrote a letter to all the deputy commissioners of the state regarding their leave last night and said, "The deputy commissioners should always try to reduce the time spent outside their districts and stay most of the time in their districts in the interest of a faster development process and to boost the confidence of the public."
According to sources, the Chief Secretary had to take such a stance after receiving several applications from deputy commissioners seeking permission to leave headquarters on personal grounds or on official tours. A section of deputy commissioners leaving the headquarters for one or another reason is a growing trend in the state. The deputy commissioners remaining outside their districts slows down work in district administrations, which is a common matter.
The Chief Secretary said, "In the case of headquarters leave on personal grounds, specific reasons may be stated, the headquarter-leave address may be indicated, and the officers who will be looking after his or her work may also be mentioned."
He further said, "In the case of official meetings convened by different departments, the deputy commissioners may not ask for separate permissions from the Chief Secretary in cases where the communications calling for the meetings specifically mention that such invitations are as per order or approval of the Chief Minister or the Chief Secretary."
According to sources, each district has several additional deputy commissioners (ADCs), and the deputy commissioners entrust them with some responsibilities independently. However, the deputy commissioners make the final decisions. A deputy commissioner of a district chairs around 80 different committees in the district. In such a situation, if a deputy commissioner spends more time outside the district, work in the district administration slows down. This is why the State government spelt it out in no uncertain terms that the deputy commissioners should spend most of their time in their districts.
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