Reassessment of govt posts in new dists of Ladakh discussed

A review meeting on the re-assessment of posts required for the establishment of departmental offices in the proposed new districts in Ladakh was chaired by Michael M D’Souza, Administrative Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD).

Concerned officials from various departments participated in the discussion, focusing on staffing needs and administrative requirements for the smooth functioning of the upcoming districts.

Key deliberations included the identification of essential posts, resource allocation and strategic planning to ensure efficient governance in the new districts. The meeting underscored the commitment of the administration to strengthening institutional frameworks and delivering effective public services.

During the meeting, Michael M D’Souza emphasised the need to revisit all posts due to a lack of clarity and comprehension in the initial assessment. He stated that this review presents an opportunity to rationalise the requirement of posts, ensuring that government offices function effectively.

The Union Government had last year announced five new districts for Ladakh, including Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang.

D’Souza stressed the importance of functional and utility-based posts rather than bloating the system with unnecessary positions. The focus should be on critical operational roles that enhance efficiency. Special attention was given to striking the right balance between technical and non-technical ministerial positions, ensuring that both administrative and specialised roles are well-defined.

Additionally, he highlighted the need to correct errors and omissions from the first assessment and rationalise the staff structure effectively. He emphasised the importance of cutting-edge technology to enhance the overall efficiency of government offices in the new districts. Furthermore, he directed the concerned department officers to submit the requirement soon to ensure further deliberations by the New District Committee with the administrative secretaries of the administration.

The meeting was attended by all head of the departments; all deputy/under secretaries/OSDs and other concerned officers.