The institution of Civil Servant Award for the government employees rendering exemplary services by the S M Krishna government on the occasion of Rajyotsava Day both at the district and state level had raised many an eyebrows in the non-governmental circles with cynics questioning the very motive behind such a move.

The kind of image the government employees carry among people apparently work against them. Though the  school teachers who constitute bulk of government employees have been enjoying annual award on the occasion of Teachers’ Day, the other employees had no such scheme.

Sensing the inadequacy the Krishna government launched the  award scheme for the non- teacher government employees. The scheme despite criticism about it has been proving its utility as many government  employees who still work sincerely are recognised by it.

Had there been no such scheme the worthy government servants like Chandrakant Chagi, recipient of the award at the district level for the year 2007, would have  gone  unsung even after serving the government with all dedication, honesty and integrity. The 56-year old Chagi working as Shirastedar has been in charge of the  election branch  from the  last 10 years and has become synonymous with it.

The most sought after man not only by the members of the public but also by the officials of various other departments throughout the district Chagi has admirably handled all election related matters. It is not one or two elections-all type of elections that are conducted by the Central Election Commission (CEC) and the State Election Commission (SEC).

Whether it is gram panchayat election or a parliament election  Chagi is capable of dealing them with ease. Though a PUC educated Chandrakant Chagi is well versed with laws, rules and regulations concerning all type of elections. The provisions of the Peoples Representation Act,  Panchayat Raj Act, Municipalities Act and the rules there under are all on his tip of the tongue. His rich experience has been a guiding force for the higher-ups.

After  joining the service in 1976 Chagi became a familiar figure  throughout the district and Gulbarga region comprising  31 taluks as he has extensively worked  in the personal section of a number of deputy commissioners of Gulbarga and Bidar and also with a couple of divisional commissioners. He had  an  opportunity of touring  extensively with them in the entire Gulbarga division which has given  him  an  added advantage to run the affairs smoothly.

He hardly loses his temper. He remains cool even when under tremendous pressure people flock him on matters not concerning to him. Nevertheless he guides them to the proper destiny. His notings and draftings have found admiration with all those IAS officers with whom he had worked in the last three decades.

He has been the personal assistant to four Gulbarga DCs namely B L Sridhar, Madangopal, C Krishnappa, and Anil Kumar Jha and in Bidar he has been the  PA of three DCs namely Narasimharaju, Yogendra Tripathy and Ratnaprabha. Above all he has admirably worked as the PA of two Divisional Commissioners namely Vijay Kumar Gorey and Arun Kumar Agarwal.

“I have a sense of fulfilment in my service. Though the award has delighted me it has also increased my responsibility’’ Chagi says. The importance of Chagi to the administration will be felt  more when he retires from service after two years.