CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Unveils ‘Seva Vidhi’ Book, Says Better Understanding of Service Rules Will Strengthen Good Governance
Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday unveiled the book “Seva Vidhi”, authored by former Additional Secretary R.C. Lohani, at the Chief Minister’s residence. Describing the publication as a valuable reference guide for government officers and employees, the Chief Minister said the book comprehensively explains service rules, constitutional provisions, administrative procedures, and important judicial decisions in a simple and systematic manner.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Dhami said that government service is not merely employment but a means of serving society. Every public servant has a responsibility to perform duties with integrity, transparency, and complete dedication while contributing to the state’s development. He emphasized that a clear understanding of service rules and administrative procedures is essential for ensuring efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric governance.
A Practical Guide for Government Employees
The Chief Minister noted that since the formation of Uttarakhand, there had been no single publication that compiled government service rules, constitutional provisions, government orders, and significant judgments of the Supreme Court and High Courts in an accessible format.
He said “Seva Vidhi” fills this gap by serving as a practical handbook that will guide officers and employees throughout their service careers, enabling them to make informed administrative decisions while discharging their responsibilities effectively.
CM Dhami observed that government employment is referred to as “service” because every decision taken by a public servant directly affects the lives of citizens, especially those at the grassroots.
He said that when an officer resolves a citizen’s grievance, ensures that the poor receive their rightful benefits, or facilitates welfare schemes for farmers, women, youth, and senior citizens, it represents true national service.
The Chief Minister stressed that honesty alone is not sufficient for a public servant; a thorough understanding of laws, service regulations, and administrative procedures is equally important. He expressed confidence that the book would help government employees better understand their rights, responsibilities, and service rules, enabling them to perform their duties with greater confidence and efficiency.
Highlighting the state’s governance reforms, CM Dhami said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttarakhand is setting new benchmarks in development. The state government has prioritized good governance, transparency, and accountability while extensively adopting technology, simplifying administrative procedures, and accelerating decision-making.
He remarked that the development of a state depends not only on policies or financial resources but also on a sensitive, capable, and accountable administrative system. Government policies can achieve meaningful outcomes only when they are implemented with honesty, efficiency, and compassion.
Sharing his administrative experience, the Chief Minister said that the most effective officers are those who understand the true spirit of the rules and use them to find solutions in the public interest rather than treating them as obstacles.
He emphasized that the purpose of governance is not merely to enforce regulations but to make people’s lives easier. Rules are meant to maintain order, but their ultimate objective should always be public welfare.
CM Dhami urged government officials to ensure that every citizen approaching government offices receives prompt, transparent, and accessible solutions. Reiterating the government’s guiding principle of “Simplification, Solution, Disposal, and Satisfaction,” he said administrative processes must be simplified, public grievances resolved permanently, files disposed of within prescribed timelines, and citizens left satisfied. These efforts, he added, are essential to achieving the vision of making Uttarakhand one of India’s best-performing states.
Comprehensive Coverage of Service Laws and Regulations
Author R.C. Lohani, former Additional Secretary to the Government of Uttarakhand, said the book has been prepared by incorporating constitutional provisions, statutory laws, service rules, government orders, and landmark judgments delivered by the Supreme Court and various High Courts.
He explained that the publication covers a wide range of topics related to government service, including appointments, reservation policies, probation, confirmation, seniority, promotions, transfers, compassionate appointments, suspension, disciplinary proceedings, responsibilities of inquiry officers, penalties and appeals, termination of temporary employees, resignation, voluntary and compulsory retirement, conduct rules for government employees, post-retirement inquiries, criminal prosecution of public servants, leave rules, the Official Language Act, lien-related service provisions, and other important administrative regulations.
According to Lohani, the book has been designed as a practical reference resource that will assist government officers and employees in understanding service laws and administrative procedures in a clear and comprehensive manner.
Dignitaries Present
The event was attended by Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, former Additional Secretary Bhupesh Tiwari, G.B. Oli, Ramesh Chandra Sharma, Hansadatt Pandey, former Joint Secretary Naveen Singh Tadani, Dr. D.S. Rawat, Colonel (Retd.) Shiv Sehrawat, Scientist (Retd.) P.C. Verma, Deputy Transport Commissioner Sunil Sharma, Section Officer Deepak Joshi, Randhir Arora, Puran Singh Rawat, Ashwini Singh Negi, R.C.S. Bisht, Vikas Srivastava, and several other distinguished guests.
