(d)Reporting officers should try to know personally the work of those officers on whom they have to write reports. The reporting officer's lack of knowledge about his subordinates work which is a sign of inadequate supervision, is the biggest single factor responsible for such a large percentage of annual confidential reports being of so little use. Before writing a report, say. on an Inspecting Officer, the Reporting Officer should consult the returns which show whether he has carried out the prescribed inspections of the institutions under his charge, whether the school buildings have received attention, whether his touring has been adequate, whether the progress of education in his area as a whole has been satisfactory. Government would appreciate a clear picture, rather than a vague and general impression which these reports tend to convey. He should also keep a note-book in which during his tours, he should make brief notes on the individual officers whose work he sees; they will be of help at the time of the writing of character rolls in recording a just and comprehensive report based on personal knowledge. While mentioning an officer's defects in the annual report, the reporting officer should state explicitly whether, during the year, the attention of the subordinate officer was drawn to the defects. Superior officers are expected to supervise the work of their subordinates and correct them when they go wrong. This is as much their personal responsibility as any other duties. Minor failings corrected at the time should not encumber these reports. If the subordinate officer has made genuine attempts to remedy the defects, that should also be noted. Government would then have an up-to-date appreciation of the officer's work and the officer would know that his efforts to improve has not passed unnoticed. If pending enquiries are mentioned in the annual report, the final result of the enquiries should be intimated to Government in due course for appropriate entry in the character roll.
