‘TIME TO SHOW WHO PS GOLAY IS’

BIJOY GURUNG

Be in office at working hours or face action: CM to Govt officials
GANGTOK,: Chief Minister P.S. Golay on Wednesday strongly warned to take disciplinary action against recalcitrant State government employees through official measures or ‘other means which he knows and has done earlier’.
“Who I am? Who is P.S. Golay? I will now show, pakka chinauchu. If you don’t do the work of the Janta, I can use the pen. I also know other means…had done it before. I have come here to work for the people, you also have to come to work for the people,” thundered the Chief Minister.
Golay was addressing the 130th Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti at Sikkim Legislative Assembly premises here.
The Chief Minister recorded his outrage over lack of discipline and poor work culture shown by certain government officials and employees by not reporting for duty on time or leaving well before official hours end.
“Many employees do not reach their offices even by 11:30 am or noon. They do not face any problem because they get their monthly salaries on time, whether they do duty or not. However, it is the people who suffer the most,” said Golay.
The Chief Minister directed the State chief secretary to ensure strict compliance of working hours for government employees. The entire cabinet will back you on this, he said adding that he has already passed such directives during a conversation with all departmental heads on Tuesday. He mentioned that those government officials and employees not interested to perform their duties can opt for voluntary retirement.
“Whoever does not want to work from 10 am to 4:30 pm can take voluntary retirement and go away otherwise we will definitely give compulsory retirement. Yesterday I spoke with each secretary and I have directed them to ensure the office timings. Some grace time of 15-20 minutes can be given for duty reporting time of 10 am but after that, action must be taken against those coming late. If there is any favouritism shown, I will take action first against the departmental head,” said Golay.
The Chief Minister pointed out that in the past two years, the SKM government worked for the government employees and gave due promotions without discriminating anyone. We had hoped that the government employees would be happy and work with dedication but that has not happened in two years as some do not understand us and some are deliberately not understanding us, he said.
It is high time that we must work for people and now we will not spare anyone and I can take any available line of action including Vigilance or ordering enquiry, he said. He added that promotions henceforth would be in a time-bound manner and no officiating promotions would be given.
The Chief Minister’s remarks were also pointed to the low turnout of senior government officers at the national function.
“Today is a national function, we are celebrating Ambedkar Jayanti but it is sad to see that many departmental heads are not present. Only few departmental heads are here. If an official does not respect a national day then the official would also not get respect from the society,” said the Chief Minister.
The Ambedkar Jayanti programme was attended by deputy Speaker Sangay Lepcha, cabinet ministers, MLAs, advisors, chairpersons, senior government officials and dignitaries.
The Chief Minister paid rich tributes to the Architect of Indian Constitution by garlanding to the statue at Sikkim Legislative Assembly complex, which was followed by the deputy Speaker, ministers and other dignitaries.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries released a magazine titled 'Bhim Smarika' published by 130th Bhim Jayanti Celebration Committee, All Sikkim Scheduled Caste Welfare Association.
The celebration committee also felicitated the Chief Minister for his relentless contribution to the society.
Netizens welcome & seeks early action to drive the message home
Soon after the Chief Minister’s public dressing-down of atteri Sarkari babus was posted in social media pages, comments welcoming his statements poured in. Many shared their happiness on hearing some firm words from the head of the State and expressed the same in their social media accounts.
“I am glad that the Chief Minister strongly spoke against errant officials and I support his thoughtline. I also strongly appeal the government of the day to have immediate redressal mechanisms for public grievances,” posted social commentator Dewakar Basnet.
Basnet suggested that people can post pictures and comment in the Government of Sikkim Facebook page if they go to offices and do not find the whereabouts of the officials in there. Some strong action needs to be taken immediately against errant officials so that the others take a cue from that and follow rules strictly, he added.
Similarly, yuva social thinker N.B. Ghimirey shared that the warning issued by the Chief Minister against errant government employees and officials was a welcome one.
“The Chief Minister has issued a warning in his speech. Now it is important that this must be brought into action. It would be good if the government sets up a mechanism where the public can immediately place their grievances. The government should have the courage and will power to take action if the officials do not fulfil their responsibilities,” posted Ghimirey.