In an attempt to expedite the implementation of Government’s decisions and exchange of information in the national Capital, the AAP Government has directed its officials to make the maximum use of the digital communication technology. The Government has directed its HoDs, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries to utilise the services of “WhatsApp”.
Top sources told The Pioneer that Principal Secretary (General Administration Department) Arvind Ray has been assigned the task to prepare “WhatsApp Group for HoDs and Secretaries”. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Ministers may join the official WhatsApp group.
The primary aim of the WhatsApp group is to communicate urgent messages from the Government to its officials for speedy implementation. The Principal Secretary or Special Secretary (General Administration Department) will reportedly act as the group administrator.
At present, two WhatsApp groups --- one of the IAS Association AGMUT and the other of the Delhi Disaster Management --- are in operation. They even exchange ideas to improve their day-to-day functioning.
A senior bureaucrat said on many occasions Government’s directives were not implemented on time because for want of speedy communication.
There is a general feeling in the bureaucracy that the idea of communicating with top officers through “WhatsApp” is the brainchild of Kejriwal as he is reportedly not happy with the way the Government decisions were being implemented at the grassroots level.
It would be pertinent to mention that the Centre had recently issued an advisory directing officials not to share sensitive data on Gmail and WhatsApp as their servers are located abroad.