Bhubaneswar: As many as 153 new officers joined the Odisha Civil Services on Wednesday. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik joined an orientation programme for the new entrants on virtual mode organised at the Convention Centre in the Lok Seva Bhawan.

Welcoming the new officers on the occasion, the chief minister said, “Civil Service is unique in its own way. It is not just a profession. It is a Service towards your motherland and its common man. At no point of time, under no circumstances you should let down the trust of the common man. Each and every decision and action taken by you must be towards strengthening their hope and trust reposed on you.”

The chief minister said that this day marks the beginning of a new chapter in their life. They have now taken on the role of a responsible Civil Servant. As a result, they are expected to shoulder the roles and responsibilities that come attached to it.

Speaking that development of the State and welfare of the poor remain at the core of all our initiatives, he added that it is only through the hard work and devotion of young and capable officers like them, the people will be able to reap the true benefits of state’s initiatives and our State can become number one state.

He said that initiatives like ‘5T’ and ‘Mo Sarkar’ are directed at bringing transformative changes in the governance mechanism. The government is working dedicatedly to provide doorstep services to the people, added.

The chief minister launched the Digital Life Certificate mechanism for pensioners on the occasion. He said that it’s in true spirit of our 5T and Mo Sarkar Initiative.

In this new system, identification and life certificates can now be submitted by the pensioners using Artificial Intelligence based Video-verification process. The CM said that it will be of immense help to the pensioners as they can submit their identification and Life Certificates digitally, without visiting any government office simply by using their mobile phones. This facility will also be available at the ‘Mo Seva Kendras’ located across the state, he said. Saying that Odisha is the first State to implement such a digital service for the pensioners, he expressed happiness over the initiative.

He also launched E-Diary, under which all information contained in the government diary can be readily and conveniently accessed by citizens using their mobile phones.

He said that no matter how amazing and innovative a strategy is, its true success is dependent on its effective implementation. He suggested the officers to work judiciously, with honesty and integrity, for the benefit of the people.

Finance minister Niranjan Pujari, revenue minister Sudam Marndi also spoke on the occasion. They highlighted the transformative initiatives taken by the State government under the leadership of the chief minister. They called upon the new officers to follow these principles through out their service career and maintain absolute transparency.

Chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said that the officers have got the opportunity to start their career with the encouraging words of the chief minister. They must follow the 5-T principles to provide best possible service to the people.

Three officers Suchismita Das (OPS), Aswini Panda (OAS) and Babita Murmu (ORS) interacted the shared their experiences on the occasion.

Secretary to CM (5-T) V.K. Pandian advised the officers as they have been inducted to this service purely on the basis of their merit, they should also follow the same principles in their public career to maintain absolute transparency, treat people professionally with empathy.

General Administration Department principal secretary Surendra Kumar gave the welcome address and Electronics & IT secretary Manoj Mishra offered the vote of thanks.

Principal Secretaries of Revenue, Finance and other Departments were also present.