15.24 lakh files pending in Secretariat and 26,257 in Finance Department: File adalat to clear pending files and improve governance

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More than 15 lakh files are pending despite the Chief Minister's frequent reminders that 'each file has a life'. Pinarayi Vijayan himself has taken the initiative to resolve them and is conducting the adalat again. This will be from July 1 to August 31.

The lion's share of the files rests in the secretariat and directorates, mostly in the finance department. The Chief Minister today directed the department secretaries to immediately complete the arrangements for the adalat. If the conditions are a hindrance to the resolution, an amendment can be made. A meeting should be held at the Chief Secretary level and a recommendation should be made for the same.

A meeting of the concerned department heads should be called in the secretariat and the suggestions and action plan should be explained. The secretaries and department heads are responsible for supervision. The Chief Secretary should issue guidelines to avoid delays in the files for which the opinions of the departments have been sought. The final opinion on the files that have been pending for a long time should be made available within 15 days.

A portal should be set up in collaboration with the IT department to streamline file disposal and collect information. Ministers and the cabinet will review the progress at regular intervals. The finance department, which has the largest number of pending files, should pay special attention. The adalat should be organized in collaboration with the finance department to decide on the files given by other departments. Chief Secretary Dr. A. Jayathilak and department secretaries attended the meeting.

Resolution at three levels

The resolution will be at three levels: Secretariat level, Head of Department level, and files in institutions that come into contact with the public. The order of priority will be determined considering the importance of the issues.

Strict action in case of default

1. Secretaries should directly supervise the file adalat

2. The secretary should also supervise other institutions including the directorate

3. The Chief Minister has directed strict action in case of default in the adalat

4. The demand in the file should be settled excluding technical issues

5. The Chief Secretary should assess the progress in the monthly meeting

Officials should show humanity to every applicant who comes before them, but some are still not ready to change.

- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

Files pending in the Secretariat: 15.24 lakh

In the Finance Department: 26,257

(Status given in the Legislative Assembly)