January 3, 2014
WB Governor praises Mamata Banerjee`s work as CM
West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan was all praise for the Mamata Banerjee government for launching the administrative calendar 2014, first ever by a state government. “I may be accused of exaggerated praise of the state government. I have never been so enthusiastic about any programme as I am with this one. The calendar needs to be uploaded on internet and citizens should have the chance to monitor the progress of the project,” Narayanan said.
This is the first time that the governor of a state stepped into the state secretariat. “Normally, when there is no President`s rule, the governor is not supposed to step into the secretariat,” Narayanan said.
The 250-page administrative calendar lists up for all the 61 departments projects to be completed every month. Some departments like child & women development and social welfare, judicial and labour have provided date-wise targets for project completion. “It was a difficult task for the departments to come up with such detailed programme within a short notice,“ Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said. According to her, discipline is needed in the administration to bring in good governance. The CM appreciated the hard work by state officials despite low staff strength. “Ministers and secretaries have to handle multiple departments. We have thus engaged parliamentary secretaries to facilitate the work,” Mamata said.
The CM took the first step. She has set month-wise targets. The departments will now be accountable to chase the projects because the CM might take stock of the progress on a regular basis. The CM plans to take the practice down to the lowest rung of the administration. District magistrates and block development officers will also be asked to prepare district-wise calendars for individual departments. “A similar model will now be replicated at district and block levels. If that is successful it might be followed for the gram panchayats too,” said a government official.
Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra said that the calendar was planned for bringing in more efficiency in the state administration and it will also help to give reply to RTI queries as well. Mitra hoped that the calendar will be infusing transparency and credibility to the administration.
