SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has instructed officers, including deputy commissioners, to engage with the public at the grassroots level, conduct regular public hearings, and submit monthly reports to the Chief Secretary.
The directive, prompted by the recent appointment of senior IAS officer Atal Dulloo as the new chief secretary, aims to address public concerns effectively.
As outlined by Commissioner Secretary Sanjeev Verma of the General Administration Department, secretaries are mandated to embark on tours every fortnight and host public hearings three days a week, excluding Wednesdays. Similarly, heads of departments, including deputy commissioners, are directed to conduct weekly tours and hold public hearings three days a week, with the stipulated hours between 3 pm and 4 pm.
The order emphasises strict adherence to the schedule, urging officials to prioritize these activities and avoid scheduling official meetings and engagements on tour days and during public hearing hours.
Administrative secretaries are required to submit monthly reports directly to the Chief Secretary, highlighting issues raised during tours and public hearings along with potential solutions. Heads of departments are instructed to submit their reports to their respective departments.
