Accessible: Office doors open to public 8am to 9am

Chief secretary directs officials to monitor Ramazan Bazaars.

LAHORE:

Chief Secretary Javed Aslam has told government officers that they must get to work at 8am and open the doors of their offices to members of the public till 9am.

At a meeting with secretaries and commissioners at the Civil Secretariat on Saturday, Aslam said that government officers must not schedule meetings between 8am and 9am as this time was meant for them to be accessible to the public.

He also directed the participants to follow the government’s energy-saving policy and keep air-conditioners at their offices switched off until 11am. He said key performance indicators and performance management plans had been drawn up to assess all government departments. The commissioners and secretaries gave the chief secretary detailed presentations about their department’s performance.

Ramazan Bazaars

The meeting also focused on Ramazan Bazaars and preparations against disease and flooding. Aslam directed the secretaries and commissioners to chalk out acomprehensive action for the implementation of the Ramazan subsidies package.

The government is providing subsidies of Rs3.5 billion on food to be sold at Ramazan Bazaars, which would also have Utility Stores Corporation stalls, he said. Commissioners must personally monitor the bazaars and assign DCOs supervisory duties as well, he said.

The rate lists at Ramazan Bazaars should be displayed prominently and followed. He told the commissioners to monitor price control magistrates and take strict departmental action against lax officials.

The chief secretary also directed the secretaries and commissioners to make sure that the Health Department’s anti-measles campaign and anti-dengue measures are successful; and to ensure preventive steps are taken against floods, embankments and dykes are monitored, and relief is provided promptly to those in need in case of flooding.

Instead of concentrating on presentations, officers must work hard to provide on-ground service to the people. He said that government servants were capable and competent and should work hard at their jobs.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2013.