Make administration more citizen-centric: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to DCs

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has advised all deputy commissioners to make their offices the fulcrum of the governance delivery system. He has also asked the deputy commissioners to make the administration more citizen-centric.

The Chief Minister had a marathon meeting with the deputy commissioners here today. He said, "The thrust of the DC offices should be not to make the public face problems. It can be a reality if the delivery of governance becomes smooth. Apart from looking after the works of their offices, the DCs should also make field visits to gauge people's problems. They need to visit hospitals and ensure the timely attendance of doctors and other staff. They also need to visit schools to ascertain the attendance of teachers. Many such areas need supervision by the deputy commissioners.

"The responsibility of ensuring target beneficiaries getting scheme benefits lies with the deputy commissioners."

The Chief Minister also directed the deputy commissioners to celebrate district days to facilitate and generate an emotional connection between district administrations and people.

He asked the DCs to speed up Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and the Paddy Procurement works besides sorting out land-related problems.

The meeting discussed the PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana), school management in tea gardens, water body reservation, issues of caste certificates in schools, monitoring of project works, etc.

In his welcome address, Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah said, "Governor-General Warren Hastings created the institution of district collector (now deputy commissioners) in 1772. This office, which you all proudly occupy, completed 250 years. An old practice that continues to be relevant to the modern-day administrator is touring. The British Raj would insist on at least two days of night halt during its single tour so that the district officers remain accessible to the people. Indeed, the State government had to call back upon deputy commissioners to speed up the pace of execution of flagship programmes, especially when their implementation lags or totters or is on the brink of collapse.

He said, "The Chief Minister has a well-thought-out vision and a distinct blueprint for development that needs translation into reality. The thrust of the present government is citizen-centric governance. It seeks to do away with harassment, arbitrariness and corruption."

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