Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan has urged Union secretaries to meet non-official stakeholders in office settings to improve transparency
He says such meetings offer valuable insights from the ground and help clarify misconceptions about government policies
The letter outlines a wide range of people officials could meet — from NGOs to contractors to political workers and those in legal disputes
To address political sensitivities, Somanathan suggests officials include a colleague in such meetings to ensure propriety and accountability
But past controversies show that fear of scrutiny still haunts officials. Adding a witness may not offer real protection from future inquiry
A written “memorandum of conversation” could serve as a useful record—encouraging honest dialogue while safeguarding bureaucratic integrity