Rajasthan chief secretary Sudhansh Pant's style of working is distinct. He looks different than his predecessors who mostly depended on their office for feedback and monitoring. Pant on the other hand believes in taking first hand feedback and immediate implementation. His smart dressing reflects in his working as well.
Fast decision making
Pant has a clean record. He is known for prompt action and fast decision making. The moment Rajasthan government tabled the budget, Pant shot off orders to all departments regarding immediate implementation of budget provisions. This is probably for the first time that chief secretary reacted in no time. If bureaucracy complements and supplements the regime, performance of government automatically improves.
Regular monitoring
It's not unusual for chief secretaries to review performance of departments. But Sudhansh Pant has made it periodic and systematic. Every fortnight he takes meeting of senior officers which include secretaries and head of departments. He keeps tight monitoring on the working of departments and gives prompt response whenever needed for any improvement. He encourages HoDs to give presentations on innovations and good practices they have introduced in their working system for bringing efficiency.
Field visits
This is one aspect where Pant has outsmarted all previous chief secretaries together. He is not confined to his chamber seeking progress reports from district collectors and other secretaries. He goes out in field, conducts surprise checks and lead by example. He doesn't fall shy in even going for road shows hard selling Rajasthan as the most favoured investment destination.
Punctuality
Sudhansh Pant has enforced punctuality in the system. Now work in government offices starts at 9.30 am and officers have been told not to leave their chamber. He reaches office between 9-9.30 in morning and never calls it a day before 7.30 pm.
Since he practices it himself, he expects all in the system to follow suit.
Focus on online disposal
Sudhansh Pant's immediate predecessor Usha Sharma is credited to have promoted the online filing system. She tried to implement this practice across the departments. Pant took it forward and now the file disposal time, which was few days has turned into few hours in most of the cases. This has also brought transparency and efficiency in the system.
Prakash Bhandari is a veteran journalist with over 50 years of experience. He has worked with The Times of India for 30 years and contributed to leading publications as well as international news agency AFP.
