New Delhi: Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan has urged senior central government officials to shed the “perceived reluctance” in meeting members of the public, especially those who are not government officials. In a letter addressed to all ministries and departments, he emphasised that such interactions provide crucial insights into ground realities and help dispel misunderstandings about government policies or intentions.
Somanathan highlighted feedback from various sections of society, suggesting that many perceive top officials as unwilling to grant appointments. “Meeting visitors can give insights into the actual state of affairs in the field, help detect or clarify miscommunication and misunderstandings about the government’s policy or intentions, give access to new ideas, and provide an opportunity to rectify mistakes,” he wrote.
While acknowledging that senior officers face genuine time constraints, he requested that they still make themselves available, as far as possible, to people seeking to meet them in connection with their ministries' work. He added, “Please also request other senior officers in your ministry/department to do the same.”
Importantly, Somanathan stressed that appointments should not be denied based on a person’s profession or background, including contractors, trade union members, political workers, NGO representatives, private sector employees, or even individuals with ongoing disputes or investigations, unless the matter is sub judice or under arbitration.
He further directed that such meetings should always be held in official spaces rather than in social settings like clubs or hotels. “Such meetings should be in your office, and not in social settings, clubs, hotels etc. In some cases, if you feel it is necessary as a precaution, you could ask another officer to be present,” the letter added.
BI Bureau
