Officials 'choking' welfare schemes implementaton: CM

: Chief Minister V Narayanasamy today came down heavily on officials 'choking' implementation of welfare schemes through negative approach and delay in clearing files.
Stating this at a high-level meet of officials on 'Good Governance and Responsive Administration,'he said there was no place for corruption and asked officers to shed their 'negative approach' and adhere to rules.
The elected ministry would not let them down and would protect them whenever work was done in keeping with rules'.
Narayanaswamy said there was clear demarcation ofsubjects to be handled by various wings of the government, including the Lt Governor, he requested the Chief Secretary to ensure that bureaucrats are equipped with sound knowledge of rules

He said elected representatives are keen that the welfare schemes meant for the poor and have-nots be implemented without delay.
But the 'negative approach' and delay by bureaucrats had delayedimplementation, particularly in deciding applications for payment of old age pension, distribution of free rice and sanction of educational assistance to students, he said.

He said elected ministers were answerable to people and promises made in poll manifestos should be fulfilled.
Puducherry being a small union territory had scope for development, but this seemed elusive, with the negative attitude of bureaucrats', he said.
PWD Minister A Namassivayam sought to know how officers who performed well during the previous (non-Congress) regime, could take a different stand now, rejecting all proposals put forward by the Ministers.

Welfare Minister M Kandasamy, Agriculture Minister R Kamalakannan and Revenue Minister M O H F Shahjahan also said the officers should abstain from their negative approach.