Latest news with #Somanathan
Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Cabinet secy holds video conference with state chief secretaries
Vijayawada: Cabinet secretary T V Somanathan held a video conference from Delhi on Monday with chief secretaries of various states and administrators of Union Territories to discuss preparations for the upcoming 5th National Chief Secretaries' Conference and the deregulation of various laws. During the meeting, Cabinet secretary Somanathan instructed the chief secretaries to compile and upload feedback reports from the previous conference as part of the preparations. He also directed each state to submit five state-specific reports for the forthcoming conference. Somanathan noted that some states have yet to appoint a nodal officer to compile and upload the reports, and he ordered them to do so immediately. Subsequently, the Cabinet secretary reviewed the progress of the deregulation of laws across the country. The review was conducted through the Cabinet Deregulation Cell, which was established to oversee this process. Andhra Pradesh chief secretary K Vijayanand informed the meeting that the state has already submitted reports on 21 different topics. The video conference was attended by several senior officials from Andhra Pradesh, including home and MAUD principal secretaries Kumar Vishwajeet and S Suresh Kumar, infrastructure and investments secretary Dr N Yuvaraj and others.
New Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Heed Cabinet Secretary's call for ear to the ground at lower levels too
Indian bureaucracy needs to have a finger firmly on the nation's pulse—that seems to be the sum and substance of a recent letter by the Cabinet Secretary addressing senior central government officers. The country's top bureaucrat, T V Somanathan, has encouraged secretaries in all ministries and departments to meet non-government officials and other representatives to gain 'insights into the actual state of affairs in the field'. Somanathan has asked senior officers to be accessible to non-officials who seek meetings in connection with the work of their departments, even to those 'under a law enforcement action or investigation' or with a contractual dispute with the department. This, he wrote, would help the government clarify any miscommunication regarding policies, facilitate more direct exchange of ideas, and provide an opportunity to correct errors. The letter also addresses bureaucrats' disinclination to meet contractors, NGO representatives, trade union leaders, and political party workers. Importantly, it outlines the appropriate protocols for such meetings—they should be held in official settings, not at social venues such as clubs or hotels, and that another officer could be in attendance if such precaution is warranted.
Economic Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Step out of that old Bureau bubble
Senior bureaucrats have long been perceived - with justification - of being one big old boys' club, wary of meeting people from outside 'governmentdom'. The origins of this apprehension are unclear, but the Lakshman Rekha doubling as an echo chamber has taken root probably because bureaucrats, like people in general, like hearing only things they like to hear. In a welcome gesture, Cabinet secretary T V Somanathan recently issued a memo, urging secretaries to GoI and other senior officials to engage more openly with people outside the bureaucracy. This includes representatives from trade unions, political parties, NGOs, the private sector (Indian and foreign), and chambers of commerce. Such interactions, Somanathan noted, can offer valuable and deeper insights into sectoral trends, different PoVs, and clear up misconceptions about government policies, introduce new ideas and enable timely course corrections. While some boundaries have been outlined - meetings should be held in offices - the broader push is welcome. It can certainly deepen citizen-governance engagement. Policies may be crafted with the public's best interests in mind, but their implementation often needs fine-tuning. These dialogues and tete-a-tetes also give officials a chance to explain the intent and nuances of laws to those who may have concerns. That's precisely why draft policies are routinely published on ministry websites for public consultation. Isolating and insulating policymaking from public feedback is not just bad for the quality of policy, it also weakens the overall structure of governance. Engagement builds trust, identifies blind spots, and ensures that final outcomes are both effective and seen as legitimate by those they affect: the citizenry.
Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Secretaries, senior officials must meet people not associated with govt: Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan
Secretaries and other senior officials of the central government will now have to shed their reluctance in giving appointments to common people not associated with the government and take out time to meet them as much as possible, considering existing time constraints and their busy schedules, The Indian Express has learnt. In a recent communication to central government secretaries, Cabinet Secretary Dr T V Somanathan said he has learnt that secretaries to the Government of India and other senior officials are reluctant to give appointments to people who are not government officials but would seek a meeting in connection with the work of their ministries. He said that meeting visitors can provide insights into the current situation in the field, help identify or clarify miscommunications or misunderstandings about government policies or intentions, introduce new ideas, and offer opportunities to rectify mistakes. Somanathan said this while acknowledging that senior officers, at times, are unable to give appointments due to their busy schedules. He also specifically mentioned that secretaries and other senior officials can even meet such people in their office who are receiving some benefit from, or are contractors of, the department. According to Somanathan, they can also meet people from trade unions, political parties, or NGOs, and those from the Indian or foreign private sector, or a chamber of commerce. They can meet people facing law enforcement actions, investigations, or contractual disputes with the department, including those matters that are sub-judice or under arbitration. He, however, mentioned that such meetings should only be held in their offices and not in social settings, clubs, or hotels, adding that if required, another official can also be present in such a meeting as a precaution. Speaking about the matter, a senior government official admitted that there is indeed reluctance in meeting people not associated with the government among senior bureaucrats in the central government. 'Often officials try to ensure safety for themselves and avoid having a meeting with those from outside the government to avoid a situation which they fear can backfire later on them in some other context,' the official told The Indian Express. 'As a result, some genuine people seeking meetings on critical or relevant matters are affected,' the official added.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
TDP's bond fund move faces YSRCP roadblock in Andhra Pradesh
The Telugu Desam Party-led Andhra Pradesh government 's bid to raise money through non-capital debenture bonds has run into YSRCP hurdle, with the Opposition party complaining to Cabinet Secretary and kicking up a political storm. YSRCP MP YV Subba Reddy has written to Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan against the issuance of non-capital debenture bonds by Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation and alleged that the corporation concealed vital information, giving private players an opportunity to "enrich themselves at the cost of the exchequer". Taking exception to this, TDP said the Opposition was trying to scuttle investment. Speaking to ET, Andhra Pradesh IT and electronics minister Nara Lokesh said: "This is unprecedented and highly irresponsible on the part of YSRCP. Far from acting as a constructive Opposition, it is deeply regrettable that YSRCP is hindering the state's progress by writing to lenders to block funds for the state." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Is Where Dealers Buy Cheap Cars vividtrendlab According to sources, Reddy wrote to Somanathan in April and May. In a letter dated May 3, seen by ET, Reddy has alleged "non-disclosure of crucial price-sensitive information to the investors". "Owing to the non-disclosure of this vital price-sensitive information in the key information document regarding the RBI Direct Debit Mandate well in advance, majority of the investors would not be able to secure approvals from their investment committees and only a few investors would participate and would bid at a higher coupon rate, increasing the cost of debt for the issuer (APMDC)." In this letter, he has made a case for Somanathan's intervention and a thorough investigation. TDP has also accused YSRCP of sending emails to block investment proposals. The party has said these actions have already stalled investment proposals worth nearly ₹9,000 crore, particularly in the mining sector. Live Events "During 2019-24, YSRCP govt was notorious for driving away respected investors like Lulu group, Singapore government and Renew. In the last one year, there is a complete turnaround of investor sentiment under the leadership of our leader Nara Chandrababu Naidu garu. Rather than appreciating and cooperating with this changed climate, YSRCP seems to be trying to take the state backwards again," said Lokesh.
