To ensure efficient administration, the District Commissioner of Kamrup Metro, Sumit Sattawan, will only attend state-level meetings upon approval from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, exempting him from mandatory attendance.
The Governor has notified that if it becomes crucial, suitable arrangements can facilitate the District Commissioner’s virtual attendance from his office in state-level meetings.
In a similar manner, the Blue Book mandates the District Commissioner’s relief from Protocol responsibilities, except when required. An Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of considerable seniority may act as the Protocol Officer in such instances.
In adherence to the Governor’s directive, the Chief Secretary of Assam has explicitly directed the District Commissioner to exclusively perform duties pertaining to the role of a District Commissioner, including attending office and fulfilling regular responsibilities.
The Kamrup Metro District Commissioner has been informed about the following arrangements:
- The Kamrup Metro District Commissioner will personally welcome specific dignitaries at Guwahati airport, such as the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and Chief Justice of India. An appointed ADC protocol will receive other guests, following State Government instructions.
- The Kamrup Metro District Commissioner will meet the Chief Minister at the airport for instructions when the Chief Minister leaves the state for over three days, and also welcome the Chief Minister upon return. However, for short visits of three days or less within the Northeast or Assam, the District Commissioner’s presence at the airport is unnecessary; an ADC protocol will handle the reception and farewell of the Chief Minister.
- The Kamrup Metro District Commissioner delegates a subject-specific ADC for state-level meetings and ensures prompt reporting. The District Commissioner attends video conferences upon senior officers’ or Cabinet Ministers’ request and participates in key state-level functions and urgent situations per Chief Secretary mandates. Additionally, for vital matters like addressing artificial floods in Guwahati, the District Commissioner attends Urban Development Department meetings.
- The Kamrup Metro District Commissioner must regularly organise meetings for all line departments under its jurisdiction and maintain close communication with district-level officers. The District Commissioner should refrain from attending events as the chief guest or guest of honour unless approved by the Chief Minister’s office. The District Commissioner should generally avoid participating in social functions, excluding those with close family or friends.
- The Kamrup Metro District Commissioner must regularly meet visitors, personally or with subordinate officers, and conduct essential inspections. Emphasizing a model office, the District Commissioner focuses on the office environment, work culture, and consistent subordinate attendance. To strictly bar middlemen, schedule meetings with senior officers at convenient times to avoid disrupting office work and causing public inconvenience.
