Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday exhorted the state’s civil and administrative officers to maintain constant vigil and improve coordination with the security forces in view of the fresh attempts from across the border to revive terror in India in the wake of the Kashmir developments.At a dinner hosted by him for the Punjab IAS Officers Association at his official residence, the Chief Minister pointed out that Punjab, being a border state, was particularly vulnerable. This, he stressed, necessitated closer synchronization among the various civil and security agencies to ensure the safety of the citizens.Asserting that his government would not allow Punjab’s peace and harmony to be disturbed at any cost, Captain Amarinder said the role of the IAS officers had become more critical in the current scenario. He urged the officers to stay on heightened alert, and work closely with the security agencies to tackle any eventuality by becoming their eyes and ears in their respective districts.Around 100-odd men and women attended the first of its kind dinner hosted by any Punjab Chief Minister for IAS officers.
In his interaction with the officers, Captain Amarinder also called upon them to be more sensitive to the needs of all citizens, including the MLAs and the soldiers. He asked them to be more responsive to the problems particularly of the armed personnel, who had been supporting the administration as much in time of peace as during internal or external threat of any kind. No army personnel approaching an administrative officer with any problem should go back empty-handed, he added.The Chief Minister recalled the excellent work done by the officers during the flood relief operations undertaken by the administration recently.Captain Amarinder further stressed on the need for close and mutual cooperation between the IAS officers and the MLAs in the interest of the citizens. As representatives of the people, the MLAs had their ears to the ground and their pulse on the local needs in their respective constituencies, he added.The Punjab IAS Officers Association President Vini Mahajan, on behalf of the officers, thanked the Chief Minister for this unique initiative. Captain Amarinder was a born leader, who inspired one and all with his warmth and understanding, she added. Besides others, Chief Secretary, Karan Avtar Singh and PSCM, Tejveer Singh, were also present on the occasion