Government offices are known for red tapism. One has to go through the tedious process of excessive paperwork and file movements to get work done. However, people whose files are with 2014 batch UP PCS officer Gaurav Srivastava do not have to wait as he clears files as soon as it comes to his desk or hands. He immediately signs and clears them, no matter where he is.
Recently, a video of Mr. Srivastava went viral, where he is seen signing official files on a car bonnet. Ever since he joined as ADM (E) in Deoria on 16 August, 2022, the people of the district cannot stop praising him. They say that they can meet ‘Sahab’ anywhere and get their work done and their problems solved. What they say is true, as the officer not only solves problems immediately, but also does it in a very simplified way.
Indian Masterminds spoke to Mr. Srivastava to know about his unique style of working and also about his civil service journey.
UNIQUE STYLE
His first posting was in Sant Kabir Nagar district, and from there only, his working style has been the talk of the town. Before coming to his present posting in Deoria, he was posted in Prayagraj as City Magistrate. Wherever he goes, people always love and respect him as an officer.
About the viral video, Mr. Srivastava said, “As I was going from one meeting to another, some important files came to me. I could have waited to sign them till they reached my desk. But I had to attend a meeting and there was no time to go to the office. So I placed the files on the bonnet of the car, checked them one by one, and signed them. Perhaps, common people have the same expectation from us, that we will not delay any file and do the work immediately.”
He believes that people have lots of expectations from the officers in civil services. And, he wants to live up them. If he thinks that nothing is incorrect in a file, then he sees no point in holding it back and delay the procedure. He said, “Not only files, any work should not be delayed if everything is fine. And for this, it is not necessary that you must be in your office, sitting on your chair. You can forward your files from anywhere. That’s what I do and I consider it a part of my duty.”
JOURNEY TO CIVIL SERVICES
Mr. Srivastava belongs to Basti, UP. His father is a farmer. He did his primary schooling from his village and studied at the block level till 12th. He completed his Intermediate from Mahadev Shukla Inter College Gaur, Basti. After that, he did his graduation (BA) from Allahabad University. He completed his Masters too from this university.
After his graduation, he started to prepare for competitive exams. In 2002, he cleared the SSC graduate level exam and got the post of Auditor. In 2009, he was selected as Divisional Accounts Officer. Meanwhile, he was also preparing for the UP PCS exam.
In PCS-2010, he passed the exam for the first time and got posted as Treasury Officer in 2013. But his dream was to become a SDM. In PCS-2012, he cracked the exam with the 4th rank and got the post he wanted.
SIMPLIFYING PROCEDURES
What motivated him to adopt such a working style? He said, “The work of the administration is to make the life of the common man easy. Hence, I always listen to the people and try to solve their problems as early as possible. If things are right, then why delay them? I take care that I do not make any mistake in haste. If I notice any incorrect information in a file, I keep it for later to check it properly, get it corrected, and only then clear it.”
He said that people come to them with a lot of hope and it is their responsibility to help them immediately and reduce their difficulties. And do it in the simplest way possible. “And if we are successful in doing so, then there can be no better remuneration than that,” he said.
REAL EXAMPLES
He recalled many times when he solved decades-old problems and people gave him blessings in return. “There were cases where people had not got ownership rights of their land for decades. They were not given possession of the land for 20 to 30 years. The land was taken on lease decades ago, but family members could not claim ownership over it. When, we give ownership rights to such people, I can’t express the happiness that we see on their faces.”
AN ARDENT REQUEST
The officer has a request for everyone who is working for the common people. He said, “We should aim not to be negligent in solving their problems, and dispose files on time and do quality work. Every time we delay their work, not only their problems increase, but the very purpose of civil services gets defeated.”
