AAP govt asks Punjab officers to shun corrupt practices, be responsive and accountable

Subsequent to the meeting, the government, in a letter to all Special Chief Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries, Financial Commissioners, Administrative Secretaries DGP, SSPs, DCs and field officers, cautioned them of action including entries in service records if they fail to stick to the instructions.

The letter stated, “The Government remains committed to ensure full transparency, accountability and integrity in public service delivery. As corrupt practices undermine public trust, weaken institutions and hinder national growth, in order to ensure corruption free and citizen friendly governance, I have been directed to convey to all field officers to take following stringent and effective steps, forthwith.”

It added, “In every Public Office, it may be ensured that people do not face any kind of harassment or demand of financial considerations while interacting with the Government officials at any level. Interaction of public with the Government at all levels should be completely hassle free and public work should be done in minimum possible time in an efficient and polite manner.”

Also, the letter stated, “ In order to make the officers even more responsive and accountable, feedback about each Deputy Commissioner, SSP, SDM, Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar, SP, DSP and SHO and other field officers/officials shall be taken not only from the general public but also from the MPs and MLAs, in the state.”

Cautioning them against punishment, the CS said, “The feedback would organically lead to rewards and punishments including entries in the service records, annual appraisals or punishments by way of initiating disciplinary proceedings as the case may be.”

He asked all officers to work harder to further ensure honest, responsive and efficient governance in the state.

The party MLAs and MPs have been resenting that they were not being heard in the public offices and this was affecting public work. With these instructions, the government wants to empower these elected representatives. Also, there have been reports of corruption in the public offices.