Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, a 1992-batch IAS officer, on Tuesday held a review meeting with district magistrates and senior government officials through video conferencing at the Secretariat. The meeting focused on pending cases from the district level to the government level and the progress made in their disposal.
The Chief Secretary directed all concerned departments to ensure the time-bound and priority-based disposal of pending matters, particularly those related to development and public interest.
Priority to Development and Public Interest Works
Anand Bardhan directed all departments to identify development and public-interest works on a priority basis and ensure their completion within the prescribed timelines.
He emphasised that unnecessary delays in resolving matters pending at the government level should be avoided and that problems raised by districts must be addressed effectively.
Key directions included:
- Prioritising development and public-interest works.
- Ensuring completion of identified works within the prescribed timeframe.
- Avoiding unnecessary delays in government-level pending cases.
- Giving priority to district-level requirements and public-interest matters.
- Ensuring effective and time-bound resolution of district problems.
Action Against Doctors Remaining Absent Without Permission
The Chief Secretary directed the Health Department and Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of all districts to submit a list of doctors who have been absent from duty for a long period without information or permission.
He instructed officials to take necessary action against such doctors in accordance with the rules.
The meeting also discussed the appointment of doctors and paramedical staff to strengthen healthcare services across the districts.
Regular Meetings of District-Level Committees
Anand Bardhan directed officials to ensure that meetings of district-level committees are organised regularly.
He said practical difficulties encountered during the implementation of various government schemes should be brought to the notice of the concerned departmental secretaries. This would enable the government to address implementation-related issues at the policy level.
The Chief Secretary also directed officials to ensure serious implementation of the e-Office system so that the movement and processing of files can be accelerated.
Vacant Posts, Land Transfer and Project Approvals Reviewed
Several important administrative and development-related issues were discussed during the meeting.
These included:
- Filling vacant posts at district and development-block levels.
- Creation of posts wherever required.
- Cases related to land transfer.
- Approval of various departmental projects.
- Availability of budget for different projects and schemes.
- Appointment of doctors and paramedical staff.
- Other important pending departmental matters.
Officials from different departments provided updates on the current status of these cases and the action taken for their disposal.
District Telecom Committees to Meet Regularly
The Chief Secretary also directed officials to hold meetings of District Telecom Committees regularly.
He instructed officials to bring network-related problems in the districts to the notice of the DDG Telecom and Secretary IT for their speedy resolution.
The focus was on:
- Regular meetings of District Telecom Committees.
- Identification of network-related issues at the district level.
- Escalation of telecom problems to senior officials.
- Ensuring timely resolution of connectivity-related issues.
CEO and BEO Availability to Be Ensured Within 15 Days
The meeting also reviewed the availability of Chief Education Officers (CEOs) and Block Education Officers (BEOs).
Officials were directed to complete the necessary action within the next 15 days to ensure the availability of these officers and strengthen administrative functioning in the education sector.
Marriage Assistance Scheme Cut-Off Date Issue Raised
The meeting also discussed the issue of the cut-off date for applications seeking financial assistance for the marriage of daughters of Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and widowed women.
District officials informed the government that the cut-off date fixed in February was creating difficulties for eligible beneficiaries whose daughters’ marriages are scheduled in March.
Due to the existing cut-off provision, eligible beneficiaries were unable to receive assistance for marriages taking place in March.
The districts therefore raised a demand to remove the provision related to the cut-off date.
The key concerns included:
- The existing cut-off date falls in February.
- Marriages scheduled in March are affected by the provision.
- Eligible beneficiaries are unable to receive the assistance.
- Districts have sought removal of the cut-off date restriction.
Pending Cases Resolved Through Immediate Directions
Various problems and pending cases raised by the districts were discussed during the meeting.
The Chief Secretary issued necessary directions for their immediate disposal. Several matters were resolved on the spot through appropriate instructions to the concerned departments.
Senior Officials Attend the Review Meeting
The meeting was attended by senior government officials and district magistrates, including:
- R.K. Sudhanshu, Principal Secretary
- L. Phanai, Principal Secretary
- Shailesh Bagauli, Secretary
- Dr. Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Secretary
- Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar, Secretary
- Ravinath Raman, Secretary
- Dr. V. Shanmugam, Secretary
- Vinay Shankar Pandey, Secretary
- Jyoti Yadav, Secretary
- Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary
- Rajendra Kumar, Secretary
- Other senior government officials
- District Magistrates from various districts
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