The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today presented awards and addressed civil servants on the occasion of the eleventh Civil Services Day.
Describing this day as one of “rededication,” the Prime Minister said that civil servants are well aware of their strengths and capabilities, challenges and responsibilities.
He said conditions prevailing today are quite different from about two decades ago, and would evolve much further over the next few years. Elaborating on this, the Prime Minister said that earlier, Government was almost the sole provider of goods and services, which left a lot of scope for ignoring one’s shortcomings. However, now, very often, people perceive that the private sector offers better services than Government. The Prime Minister said that with alternatives now being available in several areas, the responsibilities of Government officers have increased. He added that this increase is not in terms of scope of work, but in terms of the challenge.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of competition, which brings qualitative change. He said that the sooner the attitude of Government can change from regulator to enabler, the faster this challenge of competition will become an opportunity.
The Prime Minister said that while the absence of Government in a sphere of activity should be perceptible, its presence in a sphere of activity should not become a burden. He asked civil servants to strive towards such arrangements.
Noting the quantum jump in the applications for Civil Service Day awards, from less than 100 last year to over 500 this year, the Prime Minister said that the focus should now be on improving quality, and making excellence a habit.
The Prime Minister urged senior officers to ensure that experience does not become a burden that stifles innovation of younger officers.
Shri Narendra Modi said that anonymity is one of the greatest strengths of the civil services. He cautioned officers that the use of social media should not lead to a decline in this strength, even as social media and mobile governance are leveraged for connecting people to benefits and government schemes.
Speaking in the context of “reform, perform and transform”, the Prime Minister said that political will is needed for reform, but the “perform” part of this formulation must come from civil servants, while transformation is enabled by people’s participation.
The Prime Minister said that civil servants must ensure that every decision is taken keeping national interest in mind, and this should be their touchstone for taking a decision.
Recalling that the year 2022 would mark 75 years of independence, he urged civil servants to play the role of catalytic agents in fulfilling the dreams of freedom fighters.
Earlier, role of the government, from healthcare to wanting to set up an industry, was very strong. Things are changing since 15 years: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 21, 2017
People are now seeing alternatives. For example- it can be about a private airline or a private healthcare service: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 21, 2017
Changing trends in the last 15-20 years have altered the dynamics. Competition can play a big role in bringing a qualitative change: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 21, 2017
With changing times, a need may arise that we may have to change our working style. From regulator, we need to be an enabling entity: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 21, 2017
With quantum jump in work must also come a qualitative change: PM on #CivilServicesDay
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 21, 2017
Hierarchy remains an issue- this is something we inherited from colonial rulers & we did not leave that behind in Mussoorie: PM to officers
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 21, 2017
E-governance, M-governance, social media- these are good means to reach out to the people and for their benefits: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 21, 2017
A spirit of ownership is essential. Let us believe that through this set up we can bring a positive change in people's lives: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 21, 2017
The push for reform comes from political leadership but the perform angle is determined by officers & Jan Bhagidari transforms: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 21, 2017
Every policy of ours and its implementation has to be outcome centric: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 21, 2017
India is seen as a ray of hope world over and our democratic values are globally admired: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 21, 2017
