Bhubaneswar, 19 July (H.S.): In a major administrative reform, the Odisha government has announced that revenue officers will no longer receive promotions based on seniority, lobbying, or influence. Going forward, all career advancements will be strictly linked to individual performance metrics and citizen feedback, monitored through artificial intelligence (AI).
The announcement was made by Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, during a workshop for registration officers held on Saturday. Singh made it clear that a robust, data-driven evaluation system will be implemented to ensure greater accountability and transparency in government functioning.
“Promotions will be earned, not negotiated. Officers will be rated on a scale of 1 to 5, based on measurable performance outcomes generated by AI tools and public feedback,” Singh stated. He added that these AI-generated ratings will be integrated into officers’ Confidential Character Reports (CCRs), forming a core benchmark for determining eligibility for promotion.
Singh underscored the growing disconnect between how officers perceive their performance and how citizens actually experience government services. “Many officers believe they are doing well, but the ground reality—based on public input—points to delays, negligence, and poor responsiveness,” he said.
He also addressed long-standing complaints of malpractice and inefficiency in registration offices. “There is a perception that unless people chase officials or offer bribes, their work won’t get done. Citizens report going from desk to desk without results,” he noted.
Calling for a cultural shift in administrative behavior, Singh urged all revenue officers to arrive on time, handle public grievances sincerely, and demonstrate professionalism and ethics in their day-to-day conduct. He emphasized the need for officers to reorient themselves as facilitators of public service rather than custodians of bureaucratic procedures.
This AI-driven overhaul is part of the Odisha government’s broader strategy to improve governance outcomes and restore public trust in state institutions.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
