Noida: This is a stern, yet sweet gesture. And one that can have a lingering effect! Despite a nudge to his subordinates, when an IAS officer found an elderly couple being sent from counter to the other for what was an ordinary work, he devised an impromptu plan to teach officals a lesson. Dr Lokesh M, CEO of the Noida Authority ordered staff of the residential plot department to stand for 20 minutes and do their work when he watched the plight of the elderly couple on CCTV.
Despite prior instructions to resolve the issue promptly, the staff continued to neglect the visitor. Frustrated by their indifference, Lokesh M personally visited the department and ordered the staff to stand for 20 minutes while attending to visitors - a symbolic disciplinary measure to remind them of their duty.
“I noticed one of our staff members sitting idle and ignoring visitors. This was unacceptable,” Lokesh M was quoted as saying. “I directed the staff to address grievances while standing as a form of discipline,” he added.
The incident also highlights a broader challenge within the Noida Authority - delays, erratic staff behavior, and poor grievance redressal mechanisms. With around 1,000 visitors at the Sector 6 office everyday, complaints about unprofessional conduct have been common. Lokesh M’s proactive intervention, however unconventional, has highlighted the urgency for reform.
To enhance monitoring and accountability, CCTV cameras have been installed throughout the Authority’s premises. A control room in the CEO’s chamber now oversees the activities of various departments, ensuring real-time vigilance.
While the move was applauded as a wake-up call, it also points to the need for systemic improvements. Behavioral training, particularly in communication and grievance handling, is critical to fostering a professional and empathetic staff culture. Visitors often approach the Authority with pressing concerns, and a courteous, efficient response can make all the difference.
Lokesh M’s hands-on leadership signals a new era of accountability for the Noida Authority - one where public service is prioritized, and inefficiency is no longer tolerated.
BI Bureau
