The Hindu : National : Manmohan for `pro-active' civil service

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 14, 2004

National

National

Manmohan for `pro-active' civil service

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 13. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, today told civil servants to put in place a "fair, just and equitable" system of governance.

At his first full-fledged meeting with the Secretaries to the Union Government here today, Dr. Singh's message was: "The initiatives will have to come from you. You will have my full support. We need to move from expenditures to outcomes."

He said he expected each Secretary to apply his mind to the problems in his sector, identify the relevant policy framework, the appropriate regulatory mechanism and the required legislative measures.

`Produce results'

Stressing that the civil service should be accountable, effective and transparent in its functioning, Dr. Singh said it should be "pro-active and produce results."

He advised the Secretaries to feel free to meet him directly whenever they wished to draw his attention to important matters of policy.

Urging them to work without fear or favour, he said: "You should record your views and offer your suggestions in policymaking in the best interests of the country and in accordance with the highest standards of professional integrity and excellence. Whenever you feel that certain issues need to be discussed further and certain matters need to be brought to my notice, you are free to see me. I have instructed my office that your requests in this regard should be given priority."

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