AAP government seeks explanation from bureaucrats on meetings

New Delhi: Taking cognisance of complaints that officers are not conducting public hearings for an hour on weekdays, the AAP government has asked the heads of all its departments to seek explanations from the erring babus.

CM Arvind Kejriwal had in May directed all his ministers and officers to meet people, without prior appointments, from 10 am to 11 am at their re-spective offices from Monday to Friday.

The administrative reforms department has now issued a circular, saying a number of complaints were received that the officers are not conducting the public hearings, despite the chief minister’s directions. “All the principal secretaries, secretaries and HoDs are requested to ensure that all the officers remain available for the public hearings from 10 am to 11 am,” the department said.

It added that the presence of the officers at the public hearings was being closely monitored by the chief minister’s office (CMO).

“A daily status report is being sent to the HoDs concerned through mail as well as by post, asking for action-taken reports for the absence of officers within three days through return mail,” the circular said.