Kohima, 15 November (MTNews): Aimed at making state administration more efficient, Nagaland Chief Secretary J Alam announced sweeping reforms during a meeting with Administrative Heads of Departments and Heads of Departments at the Secretariat Conference Hall on Wednesday, November 15.
According to a DIPR report, the Chief Secretary made it clear that the era of lax attendance was over, stating that the “no work, no pay” policy would be rigorously enforced. He emphasized the role of regular attendance for officers and staff within the secretariat and directorates. Urging Administrative Heads of Departments (AHODs) and Heads of Departments (HODs) to play an active role, the Chief Secretary called for “strict monitoring” of attendance in the days ahead.
Beyond attendance reforms, the Chief Secretary issued directives to HODs of all departments, stressing the need for clear instructions to district officers. This move aims to enhance coordination with district administration, ensuring the effective implementation of various schemes and programs.
Recognizing the challenges faced by district officers holding charge of more than one district, the Chief Secretary introduced a new system of Annual Performance Assessment Reports (APARs).
Deputy Commissioners of respective districts will now assess the performance of officers overseeing multiple districts, fostering accountability and balanced attention to all regions.
Addressing the introduction of the e-office system, Chief Secretary Alam acknowledged its pilot launch in four departments, with gradual expansion across other departments. The IT department presented a new online platform (services.nagaland@gov.in) for hosting government services, signaling a shift towards a digitally-driven future. Alam encouraged departments providing public services to leverage the platform’s potential for enhanced service delivery.
The Chief Secretary commended departments for proactive collaboration with the IT&C Department to update their websites. The IT&C Department’s presentation highlighted that almost all 75 departmental websites were undergoing regular updates, ensuring transparency and accessibility.
The meeting covered a diverse range of agendas, including preparations for Statehood Day, arrangements for the Hornbill Festival 2023, and the introduction of temporary PIMS to alleviate salary-related hardships for government employees. Discussions also encompassed the implementation, monitoring, and timely submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs) for centrally sponsored schemes.
The Finance department outlined a novel system, merging central and state share funds of centrally sponsored schemes. This approach is expected to expedite fund releases to departments, facilitating timely execution of targeted developmental schemes, it was reported.