Ranjit Kumar Buragohain, BDO, Joypur Development Block, Dibrugarh district was looking forward to the day in January 2024 when he would hang up his boots and lead a retired life of contention and satisfaction with the knowledge of having served the State with all sincerity for over 30-odd years. However, a Government of Assam decision has ensured that he ‘cannot do so’.
He has been bestowed with the Karmashree Award for his outstanding work on the Model Housing Colony under PMAY-G in cluster form for landless families of tea gardens of Lengerijan and Torajan Tea estates in 2021 and 2022 respectively. The Award allows Karmashree awardee a one-year service extension. This means he will enjoy one more year of serving the people of Assam.
“This Award will inspire me to dedicate myself in the service of my State for one more year. In my 30-plus years of service, wherever I worked I have been appreciated by my seniors,” Buragohain told Asom Barta.
Haren Kumar Sarma is an Upper Division Assistant with the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Government of Assam. His dedication spread over 35 years was acknowledged by the Government when it named him as one of the 75 winners of the Lok Sewa Puruskar meant for non-gazetted employees.
Born in Helocha village in Nalbari district, Sarma joined DIPR in 1988 as lower division assistant. “One of the great moments of my office career was in 1990 when I got a certificate of ‘Excellent Worker’ from the General Administrative Department while working on the Srimanta Sankardev Award ceremony. I learnt a lot from top officials then,” said Sarma.
Jubilant over the recognition, Sarma said “It is a recognition for my sincerity in office over the years. I think every official should dedicatedly perform his duty. Recognition will come at a proper time.”
Claiming that he never said “no” to his seniors’ order or for any additional office work, Sarma said that 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. is his mantra. “I am available at my desk from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are times when more is expected of us. We do not say no,” he told this reporter.
Buragohain, and Sarma were among those recognised by the Assam Government for exemplary dedication towards their assigned duties at a programme to commemorate Lok Kalyan Diwas. The Government of Assam has been observing Lok Kalyan Divas as a mark of tribute to Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi on his death anniversary on August 5.
Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, in his speech, referred to Government officials and staff as one of the main pillars of public services.
He said that officials and other staff of the Government have a major role to play in the fruitful implementation of pro-people policies of the Government. “Commitment towards their duties and assigned tasks were indispensable for a welfare State,” he remarked. He said that a Lok Sewa Adhikar Aayog shall be established with the aim of expediting the speed of public services delivery.
Kasmirie Chetia, another winner of the Lok Sewa Puruskar, is an Assistant Section Officer of the Administrative Reforms, Training, Pension & Public Grievances Department in Assam Secretariat. She joined service as Junior Administrative Assistant in Guwahati Development Department on September 25, 2010. On July 15, 2020, she was transferred to her present department.
“I am elated over the award. It is a recognition of my sincere service over the years. It will inspire me to work with renewed dedication,” Chetia told this reporter.
Mrinal Patowary, a multi-tasking staff (MTS) with the General Administration Department, was another Lok Sewa Puraskar awardee. “Since my Department is General Administration, I, too, have work pressure. Sometimes, I am present in the office till
7.30 pm. I leave office only after completing my work for the day,” said Patowary.
Muktinath Ray, Assistant Section Officer, Border Protection & Development Department joined service on September 21, 2010 as a Junior Assistant in the Transport Survey and Planning Cell under the Transport Department.
“I think carrying out your office work sincerely will give you satisfaction. We are meant to dedicatedly accomplish our tasks. I never thought one day I would get an official recognition for doing my duty!,” said Ray, a Lok Sewa Award winner.
