NCS officers are ‘Team Leader’: Zeliang

EMN DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 12 NCS officers are ‘Team Leader’ in their own respective circles and sub-division and are expected to lead and guide all the agencies of the State Government, said Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang while addressing the 42nd General Conference of the Nagaland Civil Service Association (NCSA) at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima on Friday. He said that NCS officers are present in the remotest corners of the State, and have become an invaluable asset to the government in providing leadership and direction to the people and in maintaining law and ensuring justice in the activities of the government. Also terming that NCS officers are the most visible and influential face of governance, it was of utmost importance that officers of the service maintain the highest level of integrity, justice and impartiality so that the trust of the people on the State government and its agencies are strengthened. With technology changing by the day, the Chief Minister expressed his confidence that the NCS officers will keep up with such technology changes and to use it as an important work tool. He said one of the challenges facing the bureaucracy today is red-tapism and delay and should try to tackle these problems through the aid of technology that is now available. The Chief Minister also advised the officers to be well informed on key policies of the government and issues that are confronting and added that officer need to have a holistic perspective so that the decisions and efforts made are in harmony with that of the State government’s overall goals and objective. He said that the Prime Minister is moving to change and redesign the structure of the Planning Commission of India in order to make the system more relevant. The country is poised on the edge of significant change that will impart the entire country upto the grassroots level. He explained that such changes will impose on new responsibilities and officers must be prepared from now to meet the challenges and responsibilities. The Chief Minister viewed that it was very unbecoming of many officers who resort to intense political lobbying at the expense of their less fortunate colleagues on the matters of transfer and posting and expressed his deep concern on the issue and said that this practice must be stopped. He added that such practice not only cause heartburns amongst the officers, but also effects the moral, productivity and efficiency of the officers and appealed all officers to desist from such lobbying. The Chief Minister also said the State government is aware of the difficult circumstances under which officers have to work in the interior areas, particularly because of the poor infrastructure and connectivity and assured the members of NCSA that the government is making all efforts to address the problems gradually. Guest of Honour and Chief Secretary, Toshi Aier IAS in his speech said that the NCS was indeed the ‘prime service’ of the State and encouraged the officers to continue working for the upliftment of the State. He also shared his experience as an administrative officer with the gathering. President NCSA, Rovilatuo Mor while delivering the Presidential address appreciated the government for according due recognition of the State Civil Service in thrusting with the head of district administration as DC’s in 9 out of 11 districts and also for enhancing senior cadre posts including two post of super time scale during the last cadre review, facilitating better promotional avenues. The programme was chaired by Akunu S. Meyase while Wepretso Mero read from the scripture and invoked the programme. Vote of thanks was proposed by Joint Secretary NCSA Hiazu Meru and a special song was presented by NCS Probationers of 2014 batch.