Delay files,face action: CM to babus

The circular states that chief secretary J P Dange is disappointed over the delay in submission of monthly reports,as it prevents the government from reviewing the working of departments.

The secretaries have been asked to submit reports of a particular month before the seventh of the next month giving detailed information on files handled and disposed of or else face disciplinary action.

A senior official admitted that there was indeed red tape and babus had a ‘laid back’ attitude. He expressed concern over babus not being able to move files within the prescribed time or not submitting monthly reports in time.

He,however,said it was wrong to blame the entire bureaucracy,which included hardworking officials. He also said that only officials could not be blamed as they had to work under politicians in power.

The Maharashtra Government Servants Regulation of Transfers and Prevention of Delays in Discharge of Official Duties Act,2005,stipulates that a file must move within seven days from a table. It also prescribes a maximum of 45 days for a decision to be taken on a file,right from its journey from the lowest rung babu to the time a decision is taken and the file is closed by the secretary. Failure to comply is punishable with action like issuance of a warning and adverse remarks in the annual confidential report.

A review in May had revealed that Home,Public Health,Revenue and Forests topped the list of erring departments.