Not content with the services and expertise of serving bureaucrats and outside experts in fighting the dreaded COVID-19, the government is now looking to pick the brains of former senior bureaucrats also.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday did a brain storming session through video conferencing with some former bureaucrats.
According to a ministry statement, the minister held extensive discussions with retired bureaucrats about the country’s fight with dreaded coronavirus and post lock down exit plans.
During the discussions, the officers shared their views on dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, and giving a kick start to the economy post lock down.
They emphasised on the importance of phased withdrawal of lockdown, technology based administration, and fiscal stimuli to kick start the economy. They advocated financial security and facilities for the poor and migrant workers. They said that more courses and exams should be online to utilise the academic year. They also suggested that India should indigenously develop its own vaccines and testing kits to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Former IAS officers Sudhir Bhargava, Rama Sundaram, Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Satyananda Mishra, P Panneervel and K V Eapen, besides ex-IRS officers Sangeeta Gupta and Sheila Sangwan participated in the discussion.
This move assumes significance as 101 former top bureaucrats had recently expressed anguish over the “harassment” of Muslims in some parts of the country.
