Rajasthan Chief Secretary V Srinivas is engaging well with secretaries. In last two days, the Chief Secretary has spent considerable time – first in the Karmyogi workshop on Monday and in a review meeting with Committee of Secretaries (CoS) n Tuesday.
This back to back engrossment reflects the intent to address the challenges being faced by the state.
The Chief Secretary reviewed several key issues, including Reform Utsav, expenditure under Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign-2026, disposal of public grievances and Rajasthan Sampark 181, and Mission Hariyalo Rajasthan.
‘Reform Utsav' to drive systemic reforms through public participation
Srinivas said that ‘Reform Utsav', being organised across the country on the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is an important initiative to improve governance through public participation. He said that citizens' experiences and suggestions should form the basis for simplifying procedures and making service delivery more accessible, efficient and effective.
The Chief Secretary said that the Planning Department would be the nodal department for Reform Utsav. Secretaries in charge of districts would regularly review preparations and ensure coordination with the concerned Union Government ministries. The Department of Youth Affairs would facilitate wide participation of young people. He also directed officials to explore the possibility of developing a single application form to further simplify government procedures.
“All departments must identify policy and procedural reforms that can directly benefit a large number of citizens and make access to government services easier,” he said.
Srinivas said that useful suggestions received from citizens through a phased process of ‘Jan Manthan, Vimarsh and Jan Samadhan' would be translated into practical reforms.
“The State Action Plan will be prepared and submitted by September 10th, followed by the launch of a public awareness campaign from September 11.
On October 2, ‘Jan Manthan Sabhas' will be organised in every gram panchayat across the State to involve citizens directly in the reform process,” he said.
Ensure timely utilisation of funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes
Reviewing the financial progress of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Srinivas directed officials to obtain pending Central approvals at the earliest and send D.O. letters in respect of important schemes.
He stressed the need for regular updating of financial and physical progress, timely submission of utilisation certificates and prompt release of the State share following approval from the Centre.
He also directed departments to ensure effective communication of schemes and achievements. In case of incorrect or misleading information being circulated, fact-based information should be placed before the public promptly.
Hariyalo Rajasthan: Focus on plantation, protection and verification
Reviewing plantation targets and achievements under Mission Hariyalo Rajasthan, the Chief Secretary directed officials to give equal emphasis to the protection and verification of saplings, apart from achieving plantation targets.
The meeting was informed that against the target of planting 10.81 crore saplings during 2026-27, around 4.85 crore saplings had been planted as of August 10.
He directed departments and districts with relatively low progress to accelerate plantation activities. He directed District Collectors to ensure effective coordination, while verification of saplings planted in previous years was also to be expedited.
Genuine resolution of grievances and citizen satisfaction to remain the priority
Reviewing public grievances received through Rajasthan Sampark 181, Srinivas said that the objective of grievance redressal must be to provide genuine relief to citizens. He emphasised that timely and quality resolution, along with citizen satisfaction, must remain the priority. Departmental Secretaries and District Collectors should regularly review pending cases.
The meeting was informed that between February 1 and July 31, 2026, more than 2.464 million public grievances were registered, while more than 2.504 million cases, including the backlog, were disposed of. Citizen satisfaction increased from 63.16 per cent to 67.29 per cent, while the average disposal time declined from 15 days to 13 days. Satisfaction in grievances related to civic amenities stood at 74.75 per cent.
The Chief Secretary directed effective monitoring of complaints related to electricity, water, roads and sanitation and called for continuous improvement in the performance of departments and districts based on timeliness, quality of disposal and citizen satisfaction.
Srinivas directed all departments to ensure timely implementation and effective monitoring of the decisions and instructions issued during the meeting, so that the benefits of government schemes and services reach the public in a simple and seamless manner.
Alok Mathur is a law graduate. Journalism is his first love which he now pursues in the latter half of his career. Controversies and crime are the right triggers for him.
