Calling for better use of technology to achieve administrative goals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that those officers who are in-charge of the least developed districts, will be motivated to improve performances. He pulled up officers, whose areas have not done well in hard selling government schemes.
Modi on his return from a three-nation visit on Saturday morning attended the Civil Services day event here. He gave away awards for the best performing districts in implementation of various government schemes.
“I am happy for those who are getting awards. But even today there are many officers who think they don’t want to be part of this competition. I am concerned of them. This means there is stagnation in their lives. If there is no desire to work or do something new till their last breath, then there is no meaning to live. If they don't want, then let them give in writing that there is nothing for them to do this year,” prime minister said during his valedictory address at the function.
He suggested that the last 25 people on the list of the entries will be called to understand their problems as to why they could not perform better.
Adding a hint of sarcasm he said, “Is there any problem in their area or family. Anyone who has decided that there is no need to do anything, then they cannot be my saathi (associate). Let's shake them.”
He clarified that he did not mean to punish anyone, but they should be motivated. “Human touch is what that inculcates team spirit. People who are lagging should be motivated by love and incentives. No one is a nikamma (laggard).”
Modi's words assume significance as he enters the fourth year of his tenure. Since he took office, he has been insisting and trying to shake up the civil services to improve the delivery mechanism. Modi's curt speech indicated that the IAS officers have a lot of catching up to do in propagating the government's schemes.
“Some think that participatory democracy is the work of the political class. The administrative system has to get involved too. If I visit a place, someone may say that Modi has come as he has 2019 (elections) in mind. But they won't think the same way if officers visit places. The people would think that these officer are serious and the people will connect more with you,” prime minister said.
He gave the analogy of a family where the better-performing children are paraded before the guests but other children, who don't perform, are hidden. This could have a punishing effect on the minds of those children. He said that to explain his point about better performing districts which keep on winning awards year after year, while the backward districts have not moved up the indices.
His mantra was that officers should not only focus on good statistics, but also on strategic thinking for better development. He said everyone should work to achieve targets for the year 2022 – 75th year of the Independence.
Technology can be an additional strength. They can help simplify things. If we don't change ourselves according to the changing technology then we cannot progress. Though India is recognized for the IT revolution, other countries had progressed faster. It was because we got stuck in one place.
Pushing for innovation and faster decision making, Modi said like it is mentioned in the Hindu mythology, anyone undertaking Chardham Yatra gets moksha (salvation) but in government even after 32 yatras files don't get moksha.
Before his address, PM gave away awards to different categories. Some of the districts which won awards were West Tripura for using social media for crop insurance scheme, Sonipat for promoting digital payments, Kangra for rural affordable housing, Neemuch for affordable housing, Puducherry and GHMC Hyderabad for affordable housing in urban areas, Dhemaji for rural skill development, and Banka for innovation in the field of education. Three central teams also got awards which includes Team GST, Team of ease of doing business and Swachchta Abhiyan.