Meghalaya Governor M. M. Jacob has said that "the need of the hour is a people-oriented and people-friendly government." It is high time the government is more transparent and open by shedding the legacy of the British which was based on distrust.

Mr. Jacob, aware of his past experience of complicated bureaucratic functioning as a former Union Minister, said there was an urgent need to simplify procedures to make government transparent.

"Demystification of government procedures is one way of making the government more transparent," he suggested.

The Governor was speaking after inaugurating a four-day workshop-cum-seminar, declamation and symposium on "transparent and accountable administration" organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Government of Meghalaya at the St Anthony’s College hall. "If we are to restore the good faith of the people in the administration, than all steps should be taken to ensure that the administration is clean, efficient and responsive to the needs of the people," he opined. He called upon governments to introduce the concept of "Citizen’s charter" in all departments and agencies having public interface in order to ensure transparency and accountability.