CM holds an informal meeting with senior IAS officers
Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 22 Nov: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday chaired an informal meeting with Indian Administrative Service cadre (IAS) officers of Uttarakhand cadre at his residence. He directed the bureaucrats to foster a swift, transparent, and results-oriented administrative culture to ensure that the current decade truly becomes Uttarakhand’s decade.
The meeting, held against the backdrop of the ongoing Administrative Officers’ Conference, was attended by Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan along with senior and young IAS officers of the state. Welcoming the officers to the meeting, Dhami said the interaction was not intended as a formal address but as an opportunity to share his sensitive and heartfelt thoughts on governance. He observed that Uttarakhand, in its 25-year journey, had surmounted numerous challenges and whatever the state had achieved was significantly due to the dedication, diligence, and vision of its administrative machinery.
The CM observed that the officers had shown exemplary leadership and sensitivity even in difficult circumstances and extended his appreciation for their efforts. Referring to the Prime Minister’s assertion that this decade belongs to Uttarakhand, Dhami reiterated that it is the responsibility of the state administration to translate this resolve into reality. He said the next five years would be decisive for Uttarakhand and that the administration must lead the state to a stage where every citizen perceives a profound and positive transformation.
Dhami emphasised that the administration must function with speed and transparency, insisting that every scheme and decision should be target-based and people-centric. He directed that files must be disposed of within fixed timelines, the impact of schemes should be visible at the grassroots and accountability be clearly defined at every level. He reminded the officers that they had joined the service not for status or security but with a commitment to serve society and the nation, noting that their decisions affected millions of lives. Sensitivity, foresight, and fact-based decision-making were therefore indispensable, he said.
The Chief Minister observed that issues such as red tape, unattended grievances and avoidable delays occasionally dent the administration’s image and he urged the officers to uphold public trust above all else. Citing the examples of officers such as Surinder Pratap Singh, TN Seshan, and Nripendra Misra, he said their honesty, resolve, and public service had left an enduring imprint on society. He stressed that while the prestige of a post ends with one’s tenure, the respect earned through work lasts a lifetime, and encouraged officers to regard their positions as opportunities for meaningful public service.
Sending a clear message that indifference had no place in today’s ‘New India’, Dhami directed that no work be kept pending without reason, decisions be taken swiftly and judiciously, and the benefits of schemes reach eligible beneficiaries with transparency and punctuality. He instructed the officers to ensure monthly reviews, continuous monitoring, and regular site inspections in their respective jurisdictions.
The CM also added that the government is working with the spirit of “Vikalp Rahit Sankalp” to place Uttarakhand among the country’s leading states. He expressed confidence that the IAS officers would continue to play a pivotal role in realising this vision through their commitment, hard work, and determination. Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan also shared insights from the ongoing Administrative Officers’ Conference.
Along with the serving bureaucrats including, RK Sudhanshu, R Meenakshi Sundaram were also present many retired bureaucrats on the occasion.
