Collector Dalvi’s zero pendency model to cover all districts

Shortly after that,chief secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad sought a presentation of the model of Dalvi,now the land settlement commissioner of Pune district,so that it could be assessed to enable its replication in all districts.

The model introduced in Pune in July 2008 continued to be in force until December 2010 and saw records being updated,as also many old records getting disposed of,when pending files and applications were taken up for hearing. The success of the model encouraged the administration to keep up the drive,with the aim of ensuring applicants do not have to wait for long for a response and no file is held up in any department.

Anna Hazare,who had seen Dalvi’s presentation,had stated that seven years back,the state government had brought in a law to check administrative delays but it was not being practised effectively. The initiative to start zero pendency is being welcomed by social activists.

The model,however,is looked upon by some bureaucrats as a system to scrutinise their performance. Earlier last month,Gaikwad had asked all divisional commissioners and district heads to initiate immediate action against any employee causing delay. An officer from the mantralaya stated that zero pendency will bring about necessary checks on all officers. This zero pendency is an extension of Gaikwad asking top bureaucrats that respective divisions conduct surprise vists to inspect daily working of the departments under them.

A recent circular issued by the chief secretary stated that even though administrative delays in government offices had come down,complaints against the government machinery had not ceased. Complaints about delays and some about deliberate inaction by employees or officers,are still flowing in,the circular stated.

It directed divisional commissioners to conduct surprise visits at offices and inspect ongoing works. Top bureaucrats have been asked to initiate departmental inquiries against any officer responsible for delays. After the inquiry,a proposal on action from the divisional commissioner is expected to be sent to the secretary of the respective department.

The circular states that a process be initiated immediately pertaining to action on employees from Grade C and D and notice be issued within 15 days. The entire inquiry should be over in three to six months,as per severity of the case. Every office should follow a set system to identify pending cases and responsibilities of officers,it stated.