ATSUM cautions on digitization
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 20 2018: The All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) has expressed doubt regarding the objective behind the order issued by the Director of Education (S) on December 29, last year, which instructed all service books to be submitted to the Directorate for digitization.

A press communique released by the general secretary of ATSUM, claimed that even though the initiative of the Directorate of Education (S) in speeding up the process of digitization of service books so as to prevent loss of the said item, reduce instances of reissue, timely settlement of pension for employees on retirement, check manipulation/tampering of service records, impersonation etc, is laudable, ATSUM alleged that the order issued by the Director is centralization of powers and as such it will function only in the valley.

Taking serious note of dilution of powers once enjoyed by the DDOs/ZEOs in the hill districts, ATSUM alleged that the order is a scheme to strip the powers and functions of the ZEOs.

If the State Government wants good governance, ZEO's offices should be upgraded with all the requisite infrastructure and amenities to enable storage of service books under the custody of the respective ZEOs, it added, clarifying that the union does not object digitization but the storage of service books in the Central Records Room of the Directorate ofEducation (s) will bring chaos and trust deficit amongst the employees of remote areas.

Mentioning that the move will pose problems for personnel posted at remote areas, who will have to spend 3-4 days travelling to Imphal just to pen their signatures on the service books, ATSUM reasoned that the plan/scheme to deal all service matters in Imphal will render the State Government's Go to the Hills slogan useless.

ATSUM appealed to the authority concerned to make certain changes and facilitate digitization of service books at the ZEO level to ensure hat there is decentralisation.

If the exercise is not feasible in the district HQs due to lack of infrastructure and requisite amenities, upgrade the facilities first before trying to implement a step which is not satisfactory to the people residing in far flung reaches of the State, it demanded.

Comment