AGARTALA, April 21 (TIWN): Along with the nation, Civil Service Day was also observed on Thursday in Tripura at Pragna Bhawan.

Agriculture minister Aghore Debbarma inaugurated the program in presence of CS YP Singh, DGP K Nagraj and other dignitaries. This day  is observed  to rededicate and recommit themselves to the cause of the people. It provides a unique opportunity for introspection as also working out future strategies to deal with the challenges being posed by the changing times.

The day is marked on 21st April because it was on this day that Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel addressed the first batch of civil servants in Independent India at Metcalf House where he referred to civil servants as the 'steel frame of India'.

Civil Services of India is “the steel frame” on which the whole structure of our administration lies. It has indeed played a great role in maintaining the Unity and Integrity of a diverse country like India. The administration of a vast and diverse country like India requires efficient management of its natural, economic and human resources. In the System of Parliamentary Democracy of India, the responsibility for running the administration rests with the political executive but this handful of representatives cannot be expected to deal and handle the manifold problems of modern administration.

On this occasion, all officers of Central and State Governments are honoured for excellence in public administration. The 'PM Award for Excellence in Public Administration' is presented in three categories.

The award includes a medal, scroll and a cash amount of Rs.1 lakh. In case of a group, the total award money is Rs.5 lakh subject to a maximum of Rs.1 lakh per person. For an organization the cash amount is limited to Rs.5 lakh.

"Civil Service Day" is observed on the 21st April by all Civil Services to re-invigorate themselves to the cause of the people. Civil Services in India is going through a transcendental phase, where in new challenges are taking over the earlier one. Thus it provides a unique opportunity for the Civil Services to re-align themselves to the present scenario and chalk out all the future strategies accordingly.