LUCKNOW: The signs of changing times have already started coming to the fore in state capital Lucknow. Getting into an active mode, chief secretary Rahul Bhatangar has started sending the signals of tone and tenor of the new dispensation set to assume charge on Sunday.
Keeping well in mind that the new BJP government will hit the ground running, Bhatnagar, while on one hand, has issued an office circular for bureaucrats directing them to make themselves present in time from Monday, March 20, the day new CM will take over the reins of the state, on the other, he has also got a list of those nearly 70 chairmen, advisors and vice-chairmen prepared who have been enjoying the status of a minister of state. He intends to present that list to the new chief minister in his first interaction with him in order to seek directives to decide their fate.
With new CM set to take over on Sunday afternoon, the bureaucracy is already on its toes. The chief secretary, through a brief and terse office circular, has asked all the departmental heads to direct their subordinated staff to be present for work in time on March 20, in order to implement and execute welfare schemes and policies of the new government on priority in a time-bound manner.
Chief Secretary’s order serves to fill up the hiatus after the outgoing SP government headed by CM Akhilesh Yadav faced drubbing in the seven-phased Assembly elections in the state concluded last week.
Bhatnagar did not forget to drop in a word of caution for the officers against flouting circular. It says that those who would fail to report even after the office orders may draw adverse entries and other punitive actions.
Making indications of zero-tolerance against non-deliverance and laxity in performance of duties clear to the bureaucrats before the new CM takes over, the CS office circular prepared the ‘babus’ to reorient themselves to fall in line with the new government’s ways of functioning and get acquainted with the new work style in advance.
Earlier, in the beginning of the week, the chief secretary had convened a meeting of all departmental heads suggesting that they get copies of the BJP manifesto for 2017 UP polls to familiarise themselves with their department specific policies mentioned in the manifesto. They were asked to come out with a presentation over plan of action for implementation of the schemes in advance.
Meanwhile, according to sources, all those who have been sitting pretty with “lal batti” (red beacon) are likely to be stripped off their jobs if they don't resign on their own. A similar action may follow soon on the officers availing repeated extensions despite their retirement.
The CS is believed to have got a list of such political nominees in various departments and the PSUs compiled. Some of them have already resigned, but a majority of them are still continuing.
A similar list of about 50 retired officers, who are still sticking to their chairs through extensions, has also been prepared. However, some of the retired names like Alok Ranjan and NC Bajpai, have already put in their papers and also the advisor to the home department. But a large number of retired officers are still holding their offices.