KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
The newly elected Chief Secretary Brij Raj Sharma Wednesday said that complete transparency in the day-to-day government functioning would be his top priority, besides carry forward all the government directives and policies.
In a brief chat to KNS, the newly appointed Chief Secretary said: “Though I have been newly appointed as Chief Secretary but my focus will be on the priorities of the government. I would try to ensure the zero tolerance on corruption and will ensure complete transparency in the day-to- day government functioning. I will put every effort for the welfare of people of the state and will ensure implementation of the directives and policies of the government,” he said.
The Chief Secretary said that he will work for an all-round development of the state. “I believe in team work. I will carry forward all government developmental programs in the state in consultation with colleagues,” he said.
However, he said that deciding on policy matters was the prerogative of the government. “Being a public servant, I will put every effort to ensure implementation of the directives and policies of the government.”
The Chief Secretary said he will try to “utilize and leverage” the available resources to the possible extent. “At the same time, I will keep proceeding with the Centre to ensure that whatever financial proposals we have presented get approved and the funds flow to the state government at the earliest so that people can be helped,” Sharma said.
He added that rehabilitation of last year’s flood victims will also be his priority. “I will be tackling the situation arising out of last year’s floods. That is the government’s priority and that will be mine,” he said.
Sharma was appointed as state’s Chief Secretary by cabinet which met last week. He succeeded Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, who opted for voluntary retirement last month.
Sharma is a 1984 batch IAS officer of the J&K cadre. Before taking as CS, Sharma was Principal Secretary in Planning and Development Department.
After cracking the IAS exam in 1984, Sharma was first appointed as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in 1986. During the 1996 Assembly and the Parliamentary elections, he served as the Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara.
