Nagaland chief minister T.R. Zeliang on Monday has said that in order to provide quality and meaningful service to the people the state government officials must reside in their respective posting places.
Addressing a monthly District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) meeting of Peren at New Peren district headquarters on March 7, the chief minister asked the government officials not to make it a habit of compelling people to visit them in Kohima or Dimapur to get their works done.
“You should stay in your places of posting so that the people do not face the inconvenience of visiting you in the state capital or Dimapur. I have been receiving numerous complaints from all over the state that government officials attend the district headquarters only to attend the monthly DPDB meetings and after which they are never found in their offices,” Zeliang was quoted as saying by the chief minister’s office media cell.
Describing such practice as “very discouraging”, if true, the chief minister queried how could the government provide good governance to the people if government officials and employees did not attend offices? Does your conscience allow you to do such a thing?
He further asked the officials if it was justified to draw their salaries when they did not perform their duties by attending to offices.
“How can we bring development to the people when Government officials do not attend offices and look after the needs of the people in their jurisdiction?,” he maintained.
Zeliang cited the example of T.P. Imchen, who was posted in Peren as AC-II in the 1960s had settled in Peren when there were hardly 3-4 houses in the middle of very thick forest.
The chief minister said such was his dedication and commitment to serve the people and perform his duty that he was fondly remembered by the citizens of Peren area even today.
Zeliang appealed to all government officers to emulate Mr Imchen by settling down in available quarters at new district headquarters Peren before plots were allotted to individuals and people start constructing their houses.
Meanwhile, the chief minister lauded deputy commissioner (DC) Peren Peter Lichama for his effort in shifting the district headquarters to the new site and having settled there all through his tenure.
On complaints by several departmental heads of the district of not having office buildings and quarters for the staff, the chief minister asked them to work out DPRs to be included in the works programme in the current financial year if possible.
The chief minister further assured the officers of all help and assistance from his side.
The chief minister also said that unlike other years, the budget session scheduled for March 15 would be a full budget and could go for 4 -5 days.
The chief minister asked the departments of PHE and power to hasten provision of adequate water and power to the district headquarters, saying that without power and water, no habitation can flourish.
He also requested the BSNL to provide OFC connection to the district HQ as early as possible.
When pointed out that this would require additional sanction from the chief general manager’s office, Dimapur, the chief minister assured that he would personally take up the matter with the CGM. Peren DPDB meeting approved upgradation of government middle school at DC Colony to government high school. The chief minister later in the afternoon visited the construction site of the Sedimentation tank of the PHE for water supply to the district HQ.