Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday issued instructions for better file management, proper maintenance of records and creation of more work space for civil servants, especially those working at the lower rung, in the Civil Secretariat Complex. To begin with, she directed the Finance and Planning & Development (P&D) Departments to take urgent steps to improve work environment so that employees feel good and look forward to get to their workplaces. “Improvement in work environment will enhance the efficiency of the staff in the Secretariat,” she observed while taking a quick round of both Main and Mini Blocks of the Civil Secretariat Complex. [related-post] Apart from visiting the offices of the Minister for Finance and the Commissioner/Secretary General Administration Department (GAD), she also inspected the Core Computer Centre of the P&D and the clerical halls of GAD, Finance, P&D, Industries & Commerce (I&C) and the Social Welfare Departments. While interacting with the employees, the Chief Minister advised them to keep their offices clean, comfortable and well-decorated. She observed that subtle changes in workplaces can lead to better work environment which will make employees happy and productive. “By improving the comfort zones, we are actually enhancing the capacities of our workforce,” she stated. During the visit, the Chief Secretary briefed the Chief Minister about various measures being taken for computerization and digitisation of the records, which, he said will pave way for creation of paperless offices in the Secretariat. She was also informed about the biometric system of attendance which is being regulated by GAD, with assistance of the National Informatics Centre (NIC). The Estates Department was tasked to immediately identify a place to store iron boxes, which disturbed the overall ambience and gave a shabby look to clerical halls in the Secretariat. It was also asked to explore installation of tea and coffee vending machines at vantage points in the Secretariat. The Chief Minister suggested that environment-friendly packaging material should be used for transporting office material and files from Jammu to Srinagar and back during Darbar Moves. She also interacted with women staffers of the civil secretariat and urged them to support her endeavour in making J&K one of the best administered states in the country. “I am always accessible and doors of my office will remain open for you,” she said while assuring them of her support in mitigating their problems. On request of the female employees, the Chief Minister issued directions for establishing a Grievance Cell in the Secretariat which will exclusively deal with the complaints registered by women, expediting all cases related to sanction of childcare leave, better maintenance and improvement of women lavatory blocks and prioritizing allotment cases of government accommodation.
