In structural edifice of Government Organization, Secretariat is the apex policy formulating body in the state. Odisha Secretariat Service is one of the earliest organised service cadre in the state. The origin of the Service can be traced back to the year 1936 i.e. when Odisha became an independent state by carving out certain portions from the erstwhile provinces of Bihar, Odisha and Madras.
Why OSS Cadre is unique?
Many people of the state agree to accept OSS Cadre as a unique and a respected job profile. Because these people got recruited through OPSC whereas other state Govt. Employees (except professional Group-B and Group A Officers) come through OSSC or OSSSC and others. The 1450 ASOs (811+139+500) joined in last three years are highly qualified (although normal graduation is the eligible Qualification) and left many high salary job only to get a job dignity. They are proud that they are a part of the apex Office of the State. They work in a Security provided atmosphere and initiate files those may move upto Honble Chief Minister if required. They are being trained in special training institute (Odisha Secretariat Training Institute).
Officers of State Secretariat are renowned for their in-depth Examination of every issue , bringing out both pros and cons and then coming up with fair and workable solutions. They are known for their integrity.
RESOLUTION
In order to streamline the functioning of Directorates and speed up the process of decision making, Government has been pleased to integrate different Directorates with their respective Administrative Departments to function as composite Departments with immediate effect subject to some conditions.
Analysis: Nowhere in the resolution, it is stated that Directorates will be merged with Administrative Departments but it is decided for integration. Although both words are nearly same, but upto last point, the terms I.e. Directorate, directorate files, directorate staff are used. It is to notice that all departments have HoDs but not Directorates. So we can expect the Directorates and Departments will work as per their rules of business. But yes, Govt. plans to bring both Offices to work in the same building so that time will be saved and work will be streamlined. If directorate is at Cuttack and Administrative Department is at Bhubaneswar, then a public may not get solution easily if any conflict arises at any level. He has to run here and there. As Govt. now focus on public service delivery, we have to welcome Govt. decision in this regard.
Condition-1
The integrated Department shall function in the premises of the respective Administrative Departments/ Directorates as may be decided by the Administrative Department keeping in view availability of space and public convenience.
Analysis:
Here two possibilities arise. In case a Department has 4-5 directorates and they are related to public service, then concern department have to shift out from Secretariat building to the respective directorate building. Because here both availability of space and public convenience are kept in condition.
Demand of OSS Cadre: Although this cadre works in three Bhawans i.e. Lokseva Bhawan, Rajiv Bhawan and Kharvel Bhawan but all these three are designated as a Secretariat building where only Administrative Departments of Govt. are functioning. So there is no hesitation among OSS Officers to work there. The work culture, dignity as well as job responsibilities are retained unchanged. No other cadre officers are working there. So here after integration, any modification in Administrative reforms should not affect our integrity in any point of view i.e. Specially recruited through OPSC Exam, specially trained in OSTI, Higher Qualifications, working in policy making body etc. which gives us special dignity. We should not be directed to work in any Directorates outside these premises. Because, we all have joined this job to avail certain benefits in Bhubaneswar. No transfer is the main preference of our job for which even IITians are also joined this job. Directorates may come to same building but should not work in same Office Hall/ room.
Condition 2
There will be a single file system through OSWAS and every proposal referred by the Directorate shall not be required to be re-initiated or re-examined de novo in the Department.
Condition 7
OSWAS system operative in the Secretariat shall be modified to integrate the Directorates with the Departments immediately and Directorates will submit only electronic file after due scanning of existing files.
Analysis:
Here one thing is not clear whether Directorates will work in hard file and while sending to respective departments, it will be scanned and sent. Or they will start their work through OSWAS and also send to Departments. Whatever may be the system, here OSS Cadre have apprehension that Directorates will send final decision / proposal to Secretaries of Departments but not to Sections of Department. We may expect lessening our workload but we can't avoid that Secretary will not ask OSS Officers to re-examine it. As per Secretariat Instructions, Govt can't work on files of Directorates. It is not always possible that decision in Directorate level is always correct. So re-examine is a common process in Departments.
Demands of OSS Cadre:
Only for faster communication electronic file system may be integrated. But we can suggest that as like OSWAS in Secretariat, Directorates should work in another OSWAS server. And both should be integrated for file transfer only. Every notings in Department files should not be accessed by the Directorate staff.
Demands of OSS Cadre:
Only for faster communication electronic file system may be integrated. But we can suggest that as like OSWAS in Secretariat, Directorates should work in another OSWAS server. And both should be integrated for file transfer only. Every notings in Department files should not be accessed by the Directorate staff.
Analysis on rest conditions in next post.....
