After Delhi poll debacle, AAP govt in Punjab asks its bureaucrats to be responsive, accountable
The Bhagwant Mann-led government has said the feedback on the performance of bureaucrats would be taken from the public and MLAs and MPs
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The guidelines were issued after Chief Secretary K A P Sinha told his officers to ensure full transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service delivery. (Express File Image)Following the Aam Aadmi Party’s debacle in the Delhi Assembly elections, the AAP government in Punjab has decided to crack the whip against its bureaucracy. The Bhagwant Mann-led government on Friday ordered the officers of the government to be more responsive and accountable, as the feedback on their performance would be taken from the public and MLAs and MPs.
The government, in a letter to all special chief secretaries, additional chief secretaries, financial commissioners, administrative secretaries, Director Generals of Police (DGPs), Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), Deputy Commissioners (DCs), and field officers, cautioned them against punishments, including entries in service records if they fail to follow the instructions.
The guidelines were issued after Chief Secretary K A P Sinha told his officers to ensure full transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service delivery during a meeting held on February 12 — a day after AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal addressed the Punjab leadership.
Cautioning the top officers against punishment, the Chief Secretary 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.”
The letter stated, “The Government remains committed to ensuring 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 the 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.”
The state government has asked the officials to make the interactions between the public and the government hassle-free at all levels and ensure that they do their work efficiently and politely, and in the minimum possible time.
The instructions are also reportedly aimed at empowering the elected representatives as the party MLAs and MPs have been in a state of resentment as their voices were not being heard in the public offices, affecting their morale.
The instructions were also aimed at checking alleged corruption in public offices.
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