CS convenes familiarization meeting with HoDs and CEO

GANGTOK, 23 Mar [IPR]: Chief Secretary AK Srivastava chaired a familiarization meeting of all Heads of Departments including the Chief Election Officer here at the Conference Hall of the New Secretariat, Gangtok on Saturday. This was the first meeting of the Chief Secretary with the Heads of Departments since assuming charge of the office on 15 March.

The Chief Secretary in his address informed about his recent meetings with district officials of West, South and East Districts where he took stock of the arrangements for the upcoming elections. He also informed about his meeting with senior officers of NHPC and BSNL to assess the power supply and communication facilities during the election process. He stressed that all arrangements should be made to ensure fair and peaceful conduct of elections.

The Chief Secretary stated that the State Government is geared up to facilitate a smooth state of affairs through this crucial period. He added that the Government is receptive to the continuous directives of the Election Commission of India and will ensure full compliance. In this regard, he urged the HODs to keep a careful watch on the issues concerning the elections while carrying out the normal functions of the office.

Chief Election Officer, D Anandan gave a detailed note of the election process in the state. He informed that all necessary actions are being taken to ensure smooth conduct of the elections. He maintained that the state is fully geared up with all necessary arrangements made, deadlines met, law and order fully under control, and model code of conduct sincerely observed.

He stated that the election process needed cooperation from all the departments especially with regard to compliance to directives from the Election Commission of India. He informed that issues raised by various departments to the Election Commission would be duly communicated to the ECI and the response communicated back. Likewise any complaints communicated to the concerned department should be addressed in less than 48 hours and action taken report submitted, he stated.

The Chief Secretary reiterated that basic facilities like drinking water, uninterrupted power supply, toilets, and ramps where necessary, were to be ascertained on the poll day. He called for involvement of departments like Power, RM&DD, PHE, Roads, and HRDD to make temporary arrangements especially for the elections. Director General of Police, Jasbir Singh gave a brief about the law and order arrangements in the State.

Earlier, Principal Secretary Home/FRED, MG Kiran, in his welcome address, assured on behalf of all the Heads of Departments, full support to the Chief Secretary. He stated that the state is ready for elections and expressed optimism over its smooth conduct.