Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 540/07

GIVE HEALTH AND EDUCATION THE HIGHEST PRIORITY

“Civil Service is one of the great resource we have to realize the objectives of building a strong and prosperous society and for ensuring responsive, accountable, transparent and people friendly administration,” said the Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr D D Lapang while speaking at the inaugural session of the Conference of Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Officers (Civil) today at the Conference hall of Main Secretariat, Shillong.

The Conference of Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Officers (Civil) was convened by the Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr Ranjan Chatterjee who presided over the inaugural session. The function was attended by the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma, besides the Addition Chief Secretaries, Mr S Chatterjee and Mr W M S Pariat, DGP, Mr B K Dey Sawian and other senior officials of the State Government. All DCs and SDO(C)s and SPs attended the conference.

Dr Lapang in his speech stressed on the importance of creating a system that would meet the expectation of the people. He said that there is a need for all civil servants to exercise discipline and restore moral health, efficiency and effectiveness. He said that good administration does not require as much of additional resource as it needs better policies and sound deliverance mechanism which are precursors of far reaching results. This requires a revolution in the mindset, evolution of policy and administrative procedures and a citizen centric approach, he added.

Dr Lapang said that all the DCs and SDO(C) should ensure that they discharge their duties with responsibility and sincerity so that the people will feel their presence and their service. He said that the spirit of team work at all levels of administration will ensure the achievement of the main objective of the Government which is to bring about a welfare state in the field of development. The civil servants should always keep in mind the interest of the common man while formulating policies of taking decisions, he added.

Dr Lapang urges the Officers to give the highest priority to Education and Health sectors which is an imperative need of the people. He also stressed on the need of speedy Redressal of Public Grievances so that the people have faith in the Government and its credibility is not eroded.

Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma in his speech said that it is important to have such conferences where the all the DCs, SPs and SDO (C) meet to discuss and deliberate on many issues which concerns the State both in terms of development and effective governance. He said that the role of the officers is to see that development take place effectively with the cooperation of the people. He said that creating awareness and getting people’s participation is important so that the plans and programmes of the government are perceived by the general public in the right perspective.

Among others who spoke on the occasion is the Director General of Police, Mr B K Dey Sawian who highlighted the achievements of the Police Department and the law and order situation in the State which he said has improved significantly.