Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday urged state civil service officers to take ownership of the state’s development and play a proactive role in its holistic growth, both physically and financially.
Addressing the 16th Triennial Conference of the Arunachal Pradesh Civil Service Officers Association (APCSOA) at the State Banquet Hall here, Khandu emphasised that state civil service officers are not merely administrators but integral members of the communities they serve, especially as most officers are indigenous to the state.
“This gives you an unmatched advantage in understanding the cultural intricacies, traditional institutions, and emotional landscapes of our people,” he said.
Commending the theme of the conference — ‘Civil Service at the Crossroads: Reimagining Public Service for a New Era’ — Khandu said civil servants today have a transformational role.
“You are the first point of contact for the public. You interpret government schemes in a language the people understand. You mediate between tradition and modernity. You can prevent alienation and foster public ownership for development initiatives,” the chief minister stated.
Calling the civil services the “backbone of governance,” he said the performance of civil servants reflects not only on themselves but also on the credibility of the political leadership and the government at large.
He reminded officers of their responsibility to be role models for the youth. “You are living proof that excellence and integrity can walk hand in hand. I urge you to mentor, inspire, and lead by example,” he said.
Reiterating the state government’s commitment to strengthening the civil services, Khandu assured continued support in terms of resources, training, and autonomy. He cited initiatives such as assured career progression and regular capacity-building training, including the four-month course at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie.
Highlighting the state’s strides in digital governance, Khandu noted that Arunachal Pradesh may be the only state to have implemented 100 per cent e-Office across the Civil Secretariat, all district headquarters, and directorates.
“Our e-Vidhan, e-Cabinet and e-File platforms are success stories now being talked about nationally,” he said.
The Chief Minister also called upon APCS officers to become active members of “Team Arunachal” by regularly sharing feedback and suggestions with the government. “We, the politicians, will frame policies, but it’s you who implement them on the ground. So, you’re best placed to guide us on where to focus,” he said.
Advising officers not to be discouraged by on-ground challenges, Khandu urged them to look for solutions proactively.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Chief Secretary Manish Gupta and Advisor to the All India State Civil/Administrative Service Association Shivdular Dhillon also attended the inaugural session of the one-day conference.
Also read: Scoring at home in front of family was a dream come true: Omang Dodum
