THE ‘DON’ is gone. So, Health Department ‘babus’ are finding a new freedom these days. With no pressure from the higher-ups they are relaxed. It’s back to the old days when things in the government office moved at a snail’s pace.
The past nine months were gruelling for the ‘babus’, as they were virtually on their toes to meet the deadline set by principal secretary, Neeta Chaudhary.
Each day wore heavy on them. They were immediately taken to task for any slackness in work. The sudden transfer of Chaudhary has brought obvious relief to the staff. Earlier, they remained petrified from early morning till the office hours were over. Every call from the principal secretary’s office set the alarm bells ringing in the Health Directorate.
Most of the time, officers and employees in the directorate remained engrossed in their work, disposing of priorities set by the department. But the scene has changed now. “We can work fast in a relaxed manner too,” an officer said.
“There is no such pressure from the new incumbent Arun Kumar Mishra,” said another officer. “Earlier, we used to stay in the office from 9 am till late in the evening, sometimes till midnight. But, now we have been directed to complete the daily routine work and leave once the office hour is over,” he said.Chaudhary had put such pressure on the officers that three special secretaries went on leave and later got themselves transferred to another department. Action against errant officers was quick, she transferred one director and changed the department of the others.During the IAS week held a few months back, Chaudhary was bestowed with the title ‘aare dewano, mujhe pehchano, kahan se aai main hun kaun, main hun Don, mai hun Don’.
“There is no such pressure from the new incumbent Arun Kumar Mishra,” said another officer. “Earlier, we used to stay in the office from 9 am till late in the evening, sometimes till midnight. But, now we have been directed to complete the daily routine work and leave once the office hour is over,” he said.Chaudhary had put such pressure on the officers that three special secretaries went on leave and later got themselves transferred to another department. Action against errant officers was quick, she transferred one director and changed the department of the others.During the IAS week held a few months back, Chaudhary was bestowed with the title ‘aare dewano, mujhe pehchano, kahan se aai main hun kaun, main hun Don, mai hun Don’.