The new Cabinet Secretary, T V Somanathan (IAS:1987:TN), has introduced an ‘Open House’ system where officers of All India Services from across the country could meet him without a prior appointment. It was formalized through a circular issued by the Cabinet Secretariat on October 18. This will be on a first- come- first-served basis and limited to the specified time.
The purpose of this ‘Open House’ system is to provide “convenience” to secretaries who often felt the need to meet the Cabinet Secretary on an urgent basis for official work. Similarly, officers of state governments are compelled to often make frequent visits to Delhi for the same work due to their inability to meet the Cabinet Secretary. This Open House system has come as a breather for officers of the state governments.
The Cabinet Secretary’s ‘Open House’ will be open for officers from 10 am to 10.20 am on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, except on
holidays.
