Improve government offices' work environment for more efficiency: Mehbooba

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday ordered improvement in work environment at the civil secretariat to enhance efficiency of staff in the apex administrative complex.

Making her first round of the complex after being sworn-in as chief minister, she issued immediate instructions for "better file management, proper maintenance of records and creation of more work spaces for civil servants, especially working at the lower rung", in the complex.

"To begin with, she directed the finance and planning and development departments to take urgent steps to improve work environment so that employees feel good and look forward to get to their workplaces," said an official statement.

"Improvement in work environment will enhance the efficiency of the staff in the secretariat," it quoted her as saying.

Besides visiting the offices of the finance minister and commissioner/secretary, general administration department (GAD), she also inspected the core computer centre of the planning department and clerical halls of GAD, finance, planning, industries and commerce and the social welfare departments.

"While interacting with the employees, the chief minister advised them to keep their offices clean, comfortable and well-decorated. She observed that subtle changes in workplaces can lead to better work environment which will make employees happy and productive and enhancing their capacities," it said.

During the visit, she was also briefed about various measures being taken for computerisation and digitisation of the records, and the biometric system of attendance.

She suggested that environment-friendly packaging material should be used for transporting office material and files from Jammu to Srinagar and back during Darbar moves, while the estates department was also asked to explore installation of tea and coffee vending machines at vantage points in the secretariat.