The Times of India:Tuesday, November 29, 2011.
ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki on Sunday called upon top officials of the state government to guide, suggest, advise and cooperate with him to help him run a people-friendly government efficiently and effectively.
"We know each other for years. We have worked together in different capacities. We are friends. We can give our people an efficient and progressive government by working together. Let's do it," Tuki said in his first-ever meeting with top bureaucrats, technocrats and head of departments here this evening.
The chief minister stressed on teamwork and said politicians and government officials are responsible and answerable to the 13 lakh people of the state.
"Our main aim should be to make our people happy and prosperous. We should strive to make them smile throughout their life," he said, while prioritizing welfare activities at the top of his agenda.
Tuki, who is about to complete his first month as chief minister, expressed concern over the work culture in government departments. He advised officials to change their attitude towards the common people who come to their offices for various purposes and cited complaints of irregular attendance, rough behaviour with visitors, irresponsive attitude to issues etc.
"We are all servants of the people in the true sense. Let's change our attitude towards them. Even if we cannot give them anything, at least we can give them good response and respect," he observed.
The chief minister also expressed concern over the rampant leakage of revenue that is seriously impacting the state exchequer. He said without resources, a government cannot function, and suggested brainstorming to evolve remedial measures to plug the leakage points.
Another matter Tuki was worried about was the reported misuse of the important RTI Act by people with vested interests. He sought suggestions from the top officials to check rampant misuse of the all-important people-friendly act of the Centre. He also suggested the protocol department tighten its belt and called for strict adherence to protocol guidelines and ethics.
In order to bring in efficiency in all departments and at all levels, he suggested proper training of officials and employees for skill development. "It is because of lack of skills and proper training that the output of our departments is not qualitative," Tuki observed.
Talking about law and order in the backdrop of the recent spate of violence in the state, Tuki urged all to give it top priority. He suggested proper planning and implementation of means to properly guide the youth, besides bringing misguided youngsters back to the mainstream. "We are all parents. We are equally responsible for the misguidance of our youths. Its time we wake up and guide our youths," he said.