Gap between privileged and under-privileged must be removed:

All India Services officers should work with an aim to reduce the gap between privileged and under-privileged sections in society, Governor of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh ESL Narasimhan said today.

"The root cause of the socio-economic problems is the persistent gap between the privileged and under-privileged sections of society. The civil servants should use their power and authority, in a positive fashion, in order to reduce this gap to provide a strong foundation for the growth trajectory of the country," Narasimhan said.

The Governor was addressing the inaugural function of the "91st Foundation Course" for All India Services and Central Civil Services, conducted by Dr MCR HRD Institute here, on behalf of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie, and sponsored by Department of Personnel and Training.
 

"Officers have to make a sincere effort to ensure that fruits of economic development reach people belonging to weaker sections of society," he added.

Narasimhan further said the civil service, considered as the "steel frame" of the country, has delivered impeccably in the past to gained global acclaim.

"However, merely doing a good job is not enough," the Governor said and called for concerted efforts for addressing the wrong perceptions of different stake-holders and managing the image of the civil service in a professional fashion.

He also called upon the officers to find time to meet people with problems and make a sincere attempt to find solutions for them with a sense of empathy.

"The levels of literacy and education are on the rise and there is an explosion of expectations on part of the people from the civil servants. A face-to-face contact with them is the mantra for instant and enduring success," he said.

Narsimhan appealed to officers to do their duty sincerely, maintain highest levels of professional and personal integrity, and face extraneous pressures with courage and conviction.