Civil servants should be impartial: Himachal CM

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Saturday said the civil servants should be impartial and capable of implementing the policies of the government, irrespective of its political complexion.

Presiding over the 17th national conference of chairpersons of state public service commissions here, he said the society at large needs honest and efficient services from the public functionaries.

He said the services have to be result-oriented, incorruptible and easily accessible.

The chief minister said this conference was an effective platform for sharing the ideas, experiences and practices relating to the functioning of the commissions and it also played a catalytic role in improving the functioning of union and state public service commissions.

Favouring the need to serve as an independent body, he said: "The officials selected by the public service commissions ought to know their real master i.e. the people and must learn to conduct themselves as true and faithful servants."

"They should consider their position as an opportunity to devote themselves in the greater service of the public."

"I have always believed in independence, dignity and strength of constitutional institutions," he said, adding that in order to maintain the sanctity of this constitutional institution, the state government had granted the official status and other privileges equivalent to the chief secretary to the chairman of the state public service commission.

"I am sure that all public service commissions will continue to discharge their constitutional obligations effectively and efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and fair play to fulfil the aspirations of society," the chief minister added.

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) chairperson Deepak Gupta said such conferences provide a forum for sharing information in areas of mutual interest and concern.

"As globally, there is a focus on good governance, the state public service commissions should reinforce the principles of transparency and accountability besides ensuring complete objectivity and speed of delivery to carry our constitutional responsibility."

He stressed for developing and strengthening the online examination system to cope up with heavy rush of applicants.

Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission chairman K.S. Tomar said Rs.5.27 crore e-governance project has been submitted to ministry of information technology and if approved it would pave the way for online examinations in future.

He said the state commission has proposed Rs.2.80 crore digital library with an aim to provide relevant material and guidance to the aspirants.