Do not delay files, CM instructs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 24 2016: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has instructed the ChiefSecretary to direct the senior officers to take action against the Secretariat employees who intentionally delay file process and conceal files.

He also appealed to the heads of different Government Departments to give up the habit of not picking up the phone calls of MLAs.

Demands of State Legislature, Council of Ministers, Secretariat, Municipal administration, Housing and Urban Development, Election, Planning, Minority and Backward Classes and Information and Public Relations were moved for discussion and approval in the State Assembly today.

While making a clarification to the complaints raised by Opposition MLAs during the discussion of these demands, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said that files are generally released fast at the levels of Commissioner, Principal Secretary, Secretary and sen- ior officers.

However, files are sometimes held back at different sections of the Secretariat, the Chief Minister said.

It has come to his notice that many employees at the section level are concealing files.

As such, the Chief Secretary must instruct the senior officers concerned to take action against those employees to avoid unnecessary delays.

The Chief Minister said that he is concerned with Opposition MLAs' complaints that some Ministers do not pick up phones.

The MLAs also complained that some Ministers are absent in their office most of the time.

Regarding the matter, O Ibobi said that the MLAs might be trying to contact the Ministers regarding development works of their respective ACs and other State issues.

Saying that development works need consultation with MLAs, he appealed to the Ministers to attend the phone calls of MLAs.

Maintaining that Chief Minister, Ministers and MLAs have no difference, O Ibobi said that all of them are the elected representatives of the people.

Saying that he is never out of station if he does not have any official programme, the Chief Minister assured the MLAs to try reserving atleast two days in a week to meet them.

It is unfortunate to learn that the head of Departments are not willing to attend the phone calls of MLAs.

Regarding the matter, he would instruct the Chief Secretary to direct these officers to be courteous to MLAs, he said.

Regarding the allegation of lack of transparency among Council of Ministers, the Chief Minister clarified that no Government policy and scheme can be concealed from anybody.

As such, the Ministers must work transparently, he observed.

The Chief Minister said that he wishes to ask the PDA engineers to stop developing DPR of market shed construction of Kwakeithel as they have taken around 2-3 years.

Saying that funds for the said project must be sought from the Central Government, the Chief Minister said that he is ready to entrust an outside firm for the said purpose if necessary.

Formation of the committee regarding collection of property tax by upgrading Imphal Municipal Council to the status of a corporation was delayed due to the absence of the Opposition leader, he said.

Efforts are being made to amend some relevant Acts of IMC during this Assembly session, the Chief Minister informed.

Later, after the withdrawal of policy and token cuts raised by Opposition MLAs, the demands were unanimously passed by the State Assembly.

MLA I Ibohalbi, K Shyam, L Ibomcha and Kh Joykishan took part in the discussion of these demands.

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