India

Assam Chief Secretary Reviews Governance Reforms, Urges Timely Implementation

By PTI

On Sunday, Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota chaired a monthly review meeting in Guwahati, where he examined key governance reforms, development priorities, and follow‑up actions from the latest District Commissioners' conference. The review covered deregulation and business reforms, financial management, development priorities, sectoral councils, administrative reforms, and Sixth Schedule Autonomous Councils.

Kota noted progress on Deregulation 2.0, state Business Registration (BR), and District BR, emphasizing regulatory simplification, ease of doing business, and the completion of pending reforms by December 31, 2026. In financial management, the meeting assessed the Viksit Assam proposal, implementation of Green Cess, submission of annual accounts by societies and PSUs for GSVA computation, and progress under SNA‑SPARSH, stressing timely compliance, fiscal accountability, and efficient use of public resources.

Development priorities were reviewed through the Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks programmes, SDG indicators, and follow‑up on NEC High Level Task Force recommendations and Chief Secretaries' Conferences, with a focus on outcome‑based monitoring. The operational framework for the 16 State‑Level Sectoral Councils was also examined to strengthen grassroots feedback, stakeholder participation, and accountability.

Administrative reforms included delegation of powers to Co‑District Commissioners, Sewa Setu, and e‑Office implementation. A 7 % reduction in e‑Office pendency was noted, leaving 304,288 files pending. The target of bringing all government offices under e‑Office by January 1, 2027 was reiterated, and preparations for Mission Sadbhavana 3.0 were reviewed.

On Sixth Schedule Autonomous Councils, scheme‑specific MoUs with line departments for centrally sponsored schemes were examined, with emphasis on clear responsibilities, effective fund utilisation, and institutional monitoring. Directions for nodal officer designation and monthly reviews were issued.

Kota stressed that decisions from review meetings must lead to tangible improvements in administrative efficiency and public service delivery. He called on all departments to coordinate action, maintain clear accountability, and ensure time‑bound follow‑up, keeping good governance, inclusive development, and Assam’s growth at the centre of their efforts.