Taking cognisance of the lax and cavalier attitude of bureaucracy towards VVIP references, the lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has asked all the principal secretaries and heads of department (HODs) to reply to such references and ensure compliance. Jung’s directive came after it was brought to his notice that senior officials were cold to VVIP references and were not adhering to the time limit. lieutenant Governor has taken a dim view of the fact that certain departments were not even submitting ‘interim reply’ leave alone the detailed one. According to the circular issued by the lieutenant Governor Secretariat, the lieutenant Governor will henceforth take the regular review meetings to remove the slackness on part of the officials.
The circular states, “All the concerned HODs should send their status report on all pending VVIP references pertaining to the department concerned within a period of two weeks positively. However, it has been found that in spite of reminders issued on such references, most of the departments have even failed to submit interim reply and this has been viewed adversely by the lt Governor.”
Meanwhile sources said the need to issue a terse circular arose after it was brought to the notice of the lieutenant Governor that most of the departments were not even looking at VVIP references. It is the duty of the Principal Secretary or the HOD concerned to ensure compliance but nobody was bothered. Jung sought the details of bureaucratic apathy and was livid, sources added.
Now the officers concerned will be held responsible during the review meetings and departmental action will initiated if they are found wanting in this regard, the sources further added.
It has been noticed that senior babus do not respond to various references where Union Ministers and important departments had sought details and reports pertaining to various central schemes and plans. It was also noticed that the HODs do not act unless they are asked to do so. It amounts to dereliction of duty and insubordination, they added. Heads may roll during the review meetings once it is established that the non-adherence was deliberate, the sources further added.