PM promises security of tenure

Addressing 264 DCs, the PM said: ‘‘One major issue which has arisen is security of tenure of key functionaries like District Collectors and Superintendents of Police…I do recognise you are entitled to ask for this. No system in the government can deliver if people are changed without notice. Short tenures do not produce desired results.’’

Singh said the Centre could not take any decision regarding this on its own and had to work in tandem with the states. But he promised to take up the matter with the National Development Council since it was integral to improving the quality of administration and making it more transparent.

The PM also announced setting up of an Innovation Fund to promote innovation in governance at grassroot level. He would consider setting up a national award for outstanding public service.

Sprinkled with idealism, the PM’s speech urged the DCs ‘‘to fight the forces of social and communal divisiveness, of casteism and regionalism and other anti-national forces and tendencies in our body politic.’’ He said behaviour and conduct of key decision makers had a multiplier effect and ‘‘the character, ability and steadfastness towards the ideals of the Constitution are the resources that DCs will have to rely on.’’

The PM exhorted the DCs to make the government’s Bharat Nirman project—for development of rural infrastructure—a success. He said that the DCs had to ensure that the new deal promised to rural India genuinely transformed the lives of millions of people.

The aim of Bharat Nirman was to provide cent per cent connectivity to villages and ensure complete coverage under safe water supply by 2009, he said.

The government had targeted programmes for elementary education, improvement of rural health through the National Rural Health Mission, universal coverage of mid-day meal, expanded coverage of ICDS and food security through the Antyodaya Anna Yojana.

The PM interacted with the DCs after they had made presentation on key issues, divided into eight themes. Presentations were made on delivery of services in educational sector, in health sector, transparency in government, public-private partnership in governance at district level, integrated implementation of rural development programmes at district level, modernisation of district administration and capacity building, development of infrastructure, urban renewal and habitat issues and natural resource management and environmental concerns.

Siwan SP may be transferred

: As NDA leaders on Friday demanded Governor Buta Singh’s recall over the ‘‘unwarranted’’ transfers of Siwan and Gopalganj DMs, sources said the administration plans to transfer Siwan SP Ratn Sanjay, known for his recent crackdown on criminals. Sanjay himself has sought a transfer to Patna. Meanwhile, Pathak, who was appointed chairman of Patna Rural Development Authority, clarified that he had requested a transfer. ‘‘Because of some health problems, I had requested…to end my field posting,’’ Pathak said.