‘CS nod must for calling DMs for dept meetings'

Time of India

15-07-2025

New Delhi: With the reporting of several instances of district magistrates being called for meetings and inspections by different departments on short notice, divisional commissioner Neeraj Semwal recently issued a circular stating that prior concurrence from the chief secretary was a must before such discussions.
While accepting that inter-departmental coordination was essential, Semwal said such frequent and uncoordinated scheduling of meetings was adversely impacting the ability of DMs to perform their core responsibilities, including court work and other quasi-judicial functions, field inspections, grievance redressal, execution and supervision of departmental schemes, law and order functions, and monitoring of district-level developmental and revenue matters.
Being the most important cog in the administrative wheel, which stays in direct touch with the public, BJP govt has involved DMs in several key projects. Delhi has 11 districts, each having a DM, an additional DM and sub-divisional magistrates.
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Semwal added that the DM offices were located in different parts of Delhi and calling them for various meetings or inspections adversely affected the functioning of their offices.
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The circular mentioned that seeking prior concurrence of the chief secretary would ensure prioritisation and proper time management. Wherever feasible, DMs should be allowed to participate through videoconferencing, especially in routine review or briefing meetings.
"Departments are advised to coordinate among themselves to avoid repetitive meetings on overlapping issues. Consolidated meetings may be encouraged instead of department-specific, fragmented sessions," the circular pointed out. It advised that the departments must give an advance notice of a minimum of 48 hours to DMs for any meeting, which would help them plan their work accordingly or nominate competent officers for the meeting.
"The necessity of the physical presence of DM must be clearly justified. If the agenda can be addressed by ADM or other senior officers, departments are encouraged to accept representation at that level," Semwal said.