In the wake of allegations that public servants exhibit irregular attendance akin to seasonal birds during special events, such as Independence Day and Republic Day, T Lankonsen Tsanglao, the ADC of Mangkolemba, offered insights in a conversation with Mokokchung Times.
Tsanglao acknowledged that “such truancy may be happening in some instances,” but cautioned against generalizing the behavior across all public servants. He pointed out that officers often have duties in the headquarters or Kohima, which might contribute to their absence from the local station.
The interview takes place against the backdrop of an article titled “Seasonal Birds of Mangkolemba: A Tale of Independence Day and Republic Day Attendance,” published in Mokokchung Times on 17 August, 2023.
Addressing the article, Tsanglao respected the writer’s perspective and acknowledged the existence of such an issue not just in Mangkolemba but across Nagaland. He agreed that voicing such grievances was crucial but emphasized that direct communication with concerned authorities would be more effective.
Tsanglao expressed confidence that the officers who were falling short in their duties were likely aware of the article’s content. However, he stressed that officers genuinely committed to their roles deserved at least some acknowledgement, and he found the article’s implication of widespread inaction “discouraging.”
The ADC acknowledged that some departments are primarily involved in field-based activities, leading to officers being away from their desks for official duties. He urged individuals to inquire about officers’ availability before visiting offices, as not all officers remained stationed at their desks.
Expressing his experience, he stated, “Whenever I convene a meeting, to the best of my knowledge, I’ve not encountered failures.” He added that public complaints can’t always be taken at face value and expressed his hope that those who are aggrieved would personally approach him if they have concerns about revealing their identity.
“I just want to see that, in my guard, the services are delivered by the various departments, and on my part as the head of the sub-division, I try to reach out to all sections of the community,” Tsanglao explained.
When asked about individuals from different villages seeking government officers’ services, he emphasized his practice of advising villagers to confirm an officer’s presence before making the trip. “I consistently stress that if you plan to visit an office, especially villagers, you should inquire whether the officer is stationed there before arranging transportation. An officer might be away from the station,” he advised.
Tsanglao also acknowledged the limitations in personally inspecting all offices. To address this, he said, he follows a routine of visiting offices, calling officers, and notifying others that he is conducting rounds. However, he expressed regret that the public often tends to generalize their experiences without fully understanding the circumstances.
“They visit one office once and they say, ‘Look, there are no officers in the station,’ without getting to know all the information or without understanding the reason why the officer was not there,” he explained.
Related Article: Seasonal Birds of Mangkolemba: A Tale of Independence Day and Republic Day Attendance
He elaborated using the example of an Industries and Agri officer. “Consider an Industries officer, for instance. Although they may not be present in the office every day, it doesn’t necessarily mean they lack work. Their role primarily involves monitoring schemes being implemented elsewhere. While he is consistently available, it’s possible that he might not be in his office when someone visits. We can’t conclude that this situation is always the norm,” Tsanglao clarified.
“I acknowledge the existence of such an environment,” he affirmed, adding that they also expect the head offices at the district level and the headquarters to keep tabs on the subordinates.
“I don’t need to constantly monitor all officers, as I anticipate them to fulfill their duties. It’s not essential for us to physically inspect offices and verify attendance due to the size of the subdivision.
Officers might leave the subdivision for work at any point. The only thing I can do at most is visit. So, it requires inputs from the public and output from our side,” he elaborated.
“We aren’t parental figures for the officers posted here. The responsibility of overseeing officers in the sub-division lies with the heads of offices at the district level. I can’t be expected to supervise Mangkolemba subdivision like a matron,” he added, injecting a light-hearted tone.
He further stated his willingness to take appropriate action when informed by the relevant authority about such occurrences. “I genuinely require accurate identification of officers and government employees. Only then can the impact be more effective. I also hope individuals will communicate directly with the appropriate authority,” he concluded.