CS for developing citizen feedback, grievance redressal mechanisms

PESHAWAR: Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah chaired his inaugural secretaries’ committee meeting, where he presented his reform agenda aimed at enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of provincial departments.

The meeting was attended by additional chief secretaries, advocate general, secretaries of administrative departments, said a handout.

The chief secretary said that every department should work on its sectoral strategy with an action plan, divided into activities and sub-activities, along with responsibilities and timelines. Departments will also have a reform working group comprising experts to devise strategies, with drafts due by April 15.

The chief secretary called for simplifying procedures for the common man through digitisation and automation. Update to be submitted by March 30. He also called for developing citizen feedback and grievance redressal mechanisms, with compliance reports submitted to PMRU by March 15. To improve transparency, departmental focal persons will be nominated for RTI, and a time protocol will be established for disposing of business. A rotation policy will be implemented, with staff rotations from Secretary Office to Field formations for those who have completed two years of tenure by March 7.

PMRU data revealed that 2,116 staff members across the province in all departments and district administration have been reshuffled before Ramazan to ensure transparency in Ramazan monitoring.

The chief secretary directed strict adherence to departmental placement committees for transfer postings by March 7. He also ordered the reactivation of the HR management system in IPMS by April 30 to ensure postings on merit and against KPIs.

Additional charges given to officers with expired timelines will be withdrawn, and regular postings/appointments will be made. The file tracking system will be activated, with a report submitted by March 7. Departments will respond to Commissioners’ and DCs’ requests, with results presented in the next meeting.

The inquiry management system in IPMS will be activated by March 30, with inquiries completed on an immediate basis.