CS orders DCs to cooperate with elected govts

Issues directives after DCs wrote letters to complain of political interference

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Secretary Akbar Durrani ordered deputy commissioners to maintain cordial relations with elected representatives. Holding a meeting, the CS issued these instruction after two DCs wrote letters against their area MNA and MPA for attempting to transfer area revenue staff.

He said DCs should perform their duties in accordance with rules and seek guidance from their seniors if facing any difficulty. He added that role of the judiciary, legislature, executives and media were of significant importance in guiding people.



He said commissioners of Rawalpindi and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions had been asked to submit a fact-finding report on the letters of deputy commissioners of Chakwal and Rajan Pur about political interference in administrative matters.

He mentioned all government officers worked diligently to achieve the fixed targets, including holding of free, fair and transparent elections. "They should continue to work with the same passion to implement the 100-day plan of the government."

He said that law and order and improvement in the sectors of health, education, environment, and municipal services were priorities of the government. He asked the officers to work in tandem with legislators of their districts to achieve future targets, besides giving them representation in committees working for the wellbeing of people on the district level.

He also issued directions to deputy commissioners for the preparation of by-elections and adopting an open door policy to resolve people's problems.

Later in the day, during another meeting in his office, the chief secretary ordered the secretary environment to prepare a comprehensive plan for the capacity building of his department. He said that there was a need to work on an emergent basis to control environmental pollution. The CS ordered that a revised PC-1 for Environment Monitoring Centre be submitted at the earliest and disciplinary action be taken against officers found guilty of negligence.



A senior government servant said that it was very unbecoming of both the DCs to act in such a manner. He said that these letters have strained relations of the bureaucracy and PTI-led government.

He said that an officer should capable enough of handling such affairs himself. He said the job of government officers is to ensure the smooth functioning of the system.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2018.