Tough message: Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy having a word with Chief Secretary Manoj Parida at a meeting in Puducherry on Wednesday. Also seen are (from right) S.K. Gautam, DGP, and Ministers M.O.H.F Shahjahan and A. Namassivayam. | Photo Credit: S_S_KUMAR more-in Engaging in some plain speak on Wednesday, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy asked government officials to do away with the practice of keeping files pending for a long time and referring files to authorities which is not required as per rules governing the union territory and the apathy to the concerns of public. Addressing a gathering of government officials from Superintendent to Secretary level on “Good governance and responsive administration”, organised by the General Administration Department, he said the practice of “sitting on files should be avoided so that the government could redress the problems of public and deliver its promises in a time-bound manner”. Making it clear that the government did not favour or want officers to violate rules while taking decisions, he said employees should consider how fast justice could be rendered and decisions taken within the ambit of law. “You can bend rules for public cause. No need to violate it,” he said. ‘MLAs accountable’ In his address, the Chief Minister made it amply clear that an elected government was more accountable to the public than anyone else because every five years the MLAs go back to the public. The Chief Minister cited provisions of Business Advisory Rules, Union Territories Act, 1963, and the Constitution which clearly define the functions of an elected government, Lieutenant Governor and Union Home Ministry in the administration of a union territory. “It is unfortunate that without knowing rules the officials process the file. You should read the rules,” he said. He said the government would stand by the officials and protect their interest. He made a special reference to section 25 of the Business Advisory Rules which mentions about 13 items where the Lieutenant Governor’s administrative jurisdiction also comes. The Chief Minister said the government would not allow corruption at any level. His ministerial colleagues A. Namassivayam, M.O.H.F. Shahjahan, M. Kandasamy, and R. Kamalakkan aired their concerns about the working style of a section of officers. They urged the employees to change their attitude and working style so that the government could fulfil promises made to the public. Chief Secretary Manoj Parida expressed his displeasure at the “negative attitude” among some officers.

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