Bhubaneswar: Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, who has recently taken charge as Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, has sought commitment from all colleagues working in various offices under the department at the district, and tahasil levels, and at the last mile of public service.
Padhee in a letter stated that revenue administration is the interface between the state and its citizens, emphasizing that making it people-centric, accountable, and trustworthy is their primary responsibility.
Padhee has urged all officials to adhere to the principles of Integrity, Professionalism, and Sensitivity (IPS) in every action and decision. “I request you all to strictly follow the IPS principles in every work and outcome. Don’t compromise on honesty under any circumstances. Professional integrity should reflect in our behaviour and work outcomes. We should be sensitive in our dealings, especially with the poor, vulnerable groups (SC/ST), and those in distress,” he maintained in the letter.
Besides, Padhee advised officers to prioritize resolving citizen grievances promptly and effectively. “Addressing citizens’ complaints in a timely and successful manner should be our top priority. Every pending grievance causes mental distress to citizens and erodes their trust in the system. We should all be proactive in ensuring fair hearings, logical decisions, and swift resolutions,” he said.
Moreover, Padhee called upon all officials and employees to leverage technology to enhance transparency, accountability, efficiency, and quality of service delivery. “In the current scenario, digital tools are not an option, but a necessity for good governance and accountability. Effective use and implementation of technology should be our top priority to reduce delays in the system and citizens’ problems,” he said.
Padhee’s letter further read: “I want to draw your attention to Odisha’s rich and glorious handloom tradition. I humbly appeal to everyone to respect Odisha’s rich handloom heritage. We, all officials and employees, should wear handloom attire at least once a week. Let’s wear handloom clothes on Fridays in all revenue offices across the state. If you’ve already decided on another day, that’s also acceptable. This will be a fitting tribute to the skill and expertise of weavers and artisans who preserve our traditional craftsmanship.”
Padhee stated, “We must always be mindful of maintaining decorum and discipline while performing our duties in public service. I want to be very clear and firm on this: no officer or employee should consume pan, tobacco, smoke, or drink alcohol in public places or while on duty in government offices. Strict action will be taken against anyone violating this. Such unruly behaviour tarnishes the department’s image and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”
Padhee has made it clear that the department will not tolerate corruption and will take strict action against those involved. “We must work diligently to restore public trust in land and revenue administration. Honest and efficient officials will be rewarded, while corruption and those involved will face strict action.”
“Protecting government and Lord Jagannath’s lands is a key responsibility, and I expect all officials to take proactive and effective steps without fear or bias,” he said.
Padhee emphasized the importance of using Odia language in official communications, saying, “We should always prioritize using Odia in government work. I appeal to everyone to use Odia as much as possible in official correspondence and interactions. This will strengthen our respect for our mother tongue and make governance more accessible and beneficial to the people.”
He assured full government support for initiatives benefiting the public and expressed enthusiasm to work with colleagues to realize the vision of effective public service.
