Do not set unrealistic targets in development: KCR to officials
The Chief Minister directs officials to send a team to Kerala to study novel initiatives in rural development
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Sunday asked officials not to set unrealistic targets in the development of the State and its people. “We must stop setting unrealistic targets and instead, focus on addressing the issues around us. Let us work together by putting all our efforts for next six months, and bring a visible change,” he added.
The Chief Minister, who was addressing a meeting with Additional Collectors and District Panchayat Officers (DPOs) at Pragathi Bhavan here, directed the officials concerned to send a team of Additional Collectors and DPOs to Kerala which has become a role model in rural development. He stated that there was nothing wrong in replicating the novel initiatives of other States in an effective manner and obtain better results. He also suggested them to educate their subordinates and make them participants of the village development. However, he felt that there was nothing wrong to initiate stern action against those who are not willing to improve their performance.
Chandrashekhar Rao wanted the DPOs to ensure that the Grama Sabhas were conducted without fail and the financial reports of the village were discussed. He wanted the gram panchayats to clear the bills pertaining to salaries, power bills, EMIs of tractors and green coverage expenditure under the ‘Charged Account’, before paying for any other expenditures. In case of lack of land for Palle Prakruthi Vanams, the panchayats were suggested to purchase private lands by spending funds from its treasury.
The Chief Minster recalled the contributions of SK Dey who was the pioneer of community development which later developed into the Panchayat Raj movement. He urged the young additional collectors to take up the responsibility of the Panchayat Raj system in the State, which was on the path to progress to mould it further in tune with the S K Dey’s aspirations. He wanted officials to discharge their duties without any fear or favour and there shouldn’t be any complaint that someone is exerting pressure on them. “You do your work sincerely and effectively and fear none. Work with the confidence that the Chief Minister is with you,” he clarified.
Rao made it clear that there was no other work more important than rural and urban development. He wanted the officials to tour the villages, stay there overnight and mingle with the people next day so that they can understand the local problems in order to find meaningful solutions. “You have the required staff, funds and the government is solidly standing by you. What else do you want? Can any other government do anything more than this? Hence you should not show any laxity and become victims of punishment,” he said, and added that the working of Collectors would be assessed by the personal appraisal Reports.
Stating that Telangana State became a role model for others in ruran and urban development within a short span after its formation, the Chief Minister said in the entire district Collectorates, Additional Collectors would be provided a room adjacent to the Collectors to keep them on par with the Collectors’ protocol. He said work should be done not as a routine one but with passion and compassion to get the desired results.
‘Save villages, save yourself’
Sending a strong message to officials, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Sunday coined a slogan ‘Save People, Save Villages, Save Yourself’ to drive home the point.
The Chief Minister advised Panchayat Raj officers to give up laziness and focus constantly on development of villages failing which they would not only receive showcause notices for lack of performance, but will also face stern action without any delay.
Addressing a meeting with District Additional Collectors and Panchayat Officers at Pragathi Bhavan here, the Chief Minister expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that even seven decades after the country’s independence, both rural and urban areas did not develop as expected. He lamented that rural development across the country was neglected from the very beginning. “The major factor appears to be the attitude of the official machinery and its old practices. The young civil servants should give up these routine ways and instead, adapt new methods and work amongst the people to bring about a change for rural development in an efficient manner,” he said.
Chandrashekhar Rao stated that both the Additional Collectors and District Panchayat Officers were striving hard for development of urban and rural areas on all fronts, but their efforts were not yielding desired results at the field level. “I have made my plans clear on multiple occasions. If the additional collectors or DPOs still fail to improve their performance, correct mistakes and continue to neglect their responsibilities, I will not spare anyone during my inspections over the next few days,” he asserted.
With more than 10 days left before he begins his visits, the Chief Minister advised them to correct their mistakes. He also directed the officials not to hesitate to suspend sarpanches and village secretaries if they fail to hold Grama Sabhas or implement the developmental activities. He wanted them to first act against the erring sarpanches of the ruling party.
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