Act tough against erring officials, says PM
During his monthly PRAGATI meeting, PM Narendra Modi warned government officials who faced repeated complaints that stern action will be taken against them if they refused to mend their ways. He asked the Secretaries to identify and assess such employees and recommend action, including dismissal and slashing pension. This came as he reviewed grievances relating to excise and customs department during his monthly interaction.
PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation) is an interactive platform aimed at addressing common man's grievances, and simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the states and central Government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his ambitious multi-purpose and multi-modal platform, PRAGATI. It is an innovative project in e-governance. Speaking on the occasion, Modi said the step was to ensure that governance in India becomes more efficient and responsive as the whole world is now observing India keenly. PRAGATI uniquely bundles three latest technologies: digital data management, video-conferencing and geo-spatial technology.
PM Narendra Modi chaired the ninth interaction through PRAGATI. In course of his meeting, PM reviewed the progress of vital infrastructure projects in road, railway, coal, power and renewable energy sectors, spread over several states. PM also reviewed progress of Aadhaar and its seeding with bank accounts and urged all the states to complete the linkage of Aadhaar with 'Jan Dhan' bank accounts​.
PM Modi urged all secretaries, whose departments have substantial dealing with the people, to immediately set up a system for top level monitoring of grievances. He quoted complaints received from various quarters about the customs and excise department.
PM took stock of the implementation of National Old Age Pension Scheme and emphasised the need to ensure that beneficiaries of pension schemes receive payments on time. He also reviewed the progress of Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY).
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) rules specify the circumstances under which an a government officer can be "retired" in "public interest". Fundamental Rules and Central Civil Services (Pension) Rule lay out the terms where an employee can be retired. As per rules, government can initiate disciplinary action against any employee for dereliction of duty, and his pension can be withheld pending investigation.
