Friday, May 30, 2014

CM CONVENES MEGA MEETING WITH CABINET AND STATE ADMINISTRATION

Chamling issues directions, wants ATRs submitted within one month
LARGESSE TO BE CURTAILED, EXECUTIVE PERFORMANCE AND DELIVERY IMPROVED
GANGTOK, 29 May [IPR]: The Chief Minister held a meeting with the Cabinet Ministers and the State Administration here at Samman Bhawan today. The mega meeting, the first since Mr. Chamling formed the government for the fifth consecutive time in Sikkim, saw some major decisions and announcements by the government.
The Chief Minister at the outset stressed on qualitative, efficient and effective delivery mechanism in the larger interest of the people of the state. He stated that emphasis on good governance, systematized administration, implementation of programs and schemes of the government on fast track mode, and importance to the demands and requirements of the people were the thrust areas of the second generation development agenda of the Government.
On his social media page, the CM wrote this about today’s meeting: “In a democratic set-up, to obey people’s mandate means to implement government’s policies and programmes by the administration. The State administration should, therefore, earnestly implement the policies and programmes focussing on good governance to fulfill high hopes and aspirations of the people. I urged upon the officials to pro-actively work to come up with ideas to deliver services to the nook and corner of the State to expand devolution and decentralization of power”.
Giving department wise directions to the heads of departments, the Chief Minister directed that all pending and ongoing schemes be completed on priority basis before initiating new projects. The Chief Minister gave a strict deadline of one month for submission of the detailed report of the pending / incomplete schemes to the government citing proper reasons for the delay.
Further, he directed the HoDs to prioritize these ongoing schemes and keep provisions for the same in the upcoming budget for speedy completion.
While talking about quality education the Chief Minister announced that henceforth, teachers will have to sit for qualifying examination/ interview for up-gradation from primary level to graduate teacher level and from graduate teacher level to post graduate level.
Talking on the Education Sector, the Chief Minister also shared the government’s desire to establish a Girls’ College and Vocational College in the state. He also announced that henceforth teachers would not be paid advance salary during vacations. The Chief Minister also directed HRDD officials to fulfill the shortage of teaching staff at remote places of the state by transferring excess teachers from schools where there are excess teachers. This should be done within one month’s time, he directed.
Talking about the protection of the Sikkim Subject Holders the Chief Minister announced to make Sikkim Subject compulsory for various licenses and permits like trade license, hawker license, driving license, excise license etc. to run business in the state.  At the same time he clarified that this is not applicable for those who already possess such license or permits. Provisions will be made for smooth transfer of license and permits from father to son.
Sikkim Subject will also be made mandatory for enlistment of contractors. Further, he announced that policy decision will be taken by the government to ensure that only Sikkim Subject Holders are recruited in all Sikkim based industries.
On the health sector, the Chief Minister announced that henceforth free medicines will be provided to Sikkim Subjects only and government employees will be given one-time medical grant of five lakhs and the family which will include the children will be provided with one time medical grant of two lakhs. Such type of files shall not have to come to the Chief Minister for sanction. The Ministers should ensure that such type of works is done at their level itself, the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister also directed the department to ensure that the health staff are adequately posted in remote parts of the state as well. Talking about the shortage of doctors in the state the Chief Minister directed the health department to frame policy to ensure that the doctors who have studied on state quota at the Medical Colleges remain in the state and practice here.
On tourism sector, the Chief Minister said that this is such a sector which gives employment and projects the state’s image. For this purpose the state and its people should be tourist friendly, he added. The Chief Minister at the same time directed the department to work out a way to simplify the rules to make it more tourist friendly but retaining the good image which the state has built till now.
On Rural Management and Development Department, the Chief Minister stressed on more power decentralization to the panchayat level and strengthening of the Gram Vikash Kendras. All the 29 subjects which have to be transferred to the panchayats as per the Panchayat Act should be transferred immediately, he directed.
The Chief Minister also directed the concerned department to install Weigh Bridge and CCTV Camera at the Check post. He also talked about framing a policy to either privatize or scrap all the loss making factories or industrial establishments of the state.
The Chief Minister also announced to limit the issue of display advertisements from Information & Public Relations Department to three occasions viz. Independence Day, Republic Day and State Day.
The Chief Minister made an announcement that the BPL category in the State will henceforth be provided reservation in the open category by the government. At the same time he clarified that there will be no vertical reservation in this category. He directed the Chief Secretary and concerned department to undertake a detailed re-survey of the BPL list.
The Chief Minister announced that henceforth all subsidies will be in the form of cash-grant to the Sikkim Subject Certificate holders only.
The Chief Minster also gave clear directives that the government will strictly deny the grant of taxi permits and trade license to government employees. At the same time, government employees will also not be allowed to be a member of any association. In this regard the Chief Minister directed the Chief Secretary to amend the rules as per the requirement. The Chief Minister also instructed the HoDs to ensure punctuality and attendance of the officers and staff of their department and introduce the thumb impression attendance in the offices.
The Chief Minister while addressing the heads of the department appealed to them to guide, assist and cooperate with the elected representatives in the interest of the state and its people. The people have given this government their mandate to work for them and the administration is expected to adhere to the people’s mandate, the Chief Minister said.
“My experience of 20 years in government and the experience of the state administrative machinery in the state together shall work for the betterment of the people of the state,” he said.
The Chief Minister directed the departmental heads to comply with the directives given by the government in the interest of the people of the state and immediately take actions on the decisions taken by the government. The report on the action taken should be submitted to the government within one month, he added.
Earlier the co-ordination meeting started with the welcome address by the Chief Secretary R. Ongmu, and concluded with vote of thanks proposed by Principal Secretary Home, MG Kiran.

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