Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has exhorted the district Collectors and additional Collectors that priority to the district administration should be on implementation of the government policies, aimed at people’s welfare and development, but not any personal priorities. He said that the government bring in several Acts, formulate programmes, keeping in view the ground realities and after a detailed discussion in the Legislature, several other debates and after much intellectual churning as well as consultations with the experts on the matters. He opined that in a parliamentary democracy like our country, the decisions taken by the people elected government’s should be implemented by the administration. The priority for the Collectors should be implementation of the government policies, schemes, programmes to the last letter and spirit.

The CM addressed, On Tuesday at Pragati Bhavan, District Collectors and Additional Collectors conference. Ministers, senior officials participated in the meeting. The CM explained about the government priorities and responsibilities.

Important points made by the CM at the Collectors’ Conference:

• After formation of Telangana State, within a short span of time, we have achieved wonderful progress in several sectors. The Telangana State stood first in the country in the Welfare sector. People’s Welfare programmes are being implemented in the State at a cost of Rs 40,000 Crore. There was a severe power crisis in initial days of formation of the State. We got over the power crisis within a short time. It is a proud movement for us that Telangana State is the only state in country, which is supplying 24 x 7-hour quality power to all the sectors in the State. Drinking water problem of the people is totally solved with Mission Bhagiratha programme. In the past, people were used to put to enormous difficulty during the summer due to acute drinking water crisis. People used to organise rallies with empty pots before ministers and the Collectors. But today the situation is different. All the villages are supplied with pure drinking water. Irrigation facility is created with the construction of major irrigation projects. Key works like this are being successfully implemented. The key issue in front of us now is to develop clean and green villages and towns. This is a very important work before us.
• Collectors should not fix their own priorities. The entire administration should have only one priority. The administration should work like one team. From the state level to the ground, duties should be performed with one agenda and priority. Programmes like KCR Kits, Kalyana Lakshmi, and Kanti Velugu are born out of the supreme conviction that difficulties of the poor should be removed and tears of them should be wiped out. After much intellectual churning, based on needs of the people and with realistic approach, the state government formulates schemes and programmes. Such programmes should be implemented by the district Collectors.
• The State government has decided to strengthen the institution of Collectors. Hence, the government appointed additional collectors to support the Collectors.
• The Collectors should work and act like representatives of the government at the district level. The government has reposed a lot of faith in the Collectors. At the same time, the Collectors have a lot of responsibility. Earlier, Collectors used to be Chair 112 Committees and now they are grouped to 26 with all the subjects. This will lessen some of their burden.
• The Palle Pragathi programme aimed at clean and green villages has been implemented in two phases successfully. This programme should continue without any break. Plants should be grown in large numbers in the villages. Protect them. Villages should be clean and tidy. Remove gutter, garbage. Close all the unused wells and borewells. Collectors should ensure that all these works are done under the panchayats.
• The government has taken all the measures for the village development. The administrative wings have become small with the creation of new districts, new divisions, new Mandals and new Panchayats. This is a wonderful opportunity to develop the villages. We are releasing every month Rs 339 Crore to the villages from the Finance Commission grants so that the villages do not face any financial problem. We are releasing funds to villages even at the cost of stopping some other works. We have appointed secretaries to all the villages.
• MPDOs, DLO, DPOs, ZP CEOs posts are filled up. We have hiked the salaries of Panchayat employees. We have created opportunity in every village to have a Tractor. We have given powers to the Collectors to take action against those employees neglecting their duties. We have constituted a tribunal so that people will not able to directly approach the Courts. With a lot of faith and confidence, the government had transferred some of its powers to the Collectors. The government did everything it expected to. But the government will not keep quiet if changes are not taking place on expected lines in the villages. The Collectors should take the responsibility to ensure that everyone performs their duties.
• We have appointed additional Collectors to assist the Collectors. One of those is exclusively allotted for the local bodies. Don’t give any other work to them. One additional Collector should take responsibility of making panchayats work efficiently.
• In the coming 15 days, organise ‘Panchayat Sammelam’ at the district level. Invite the elected representatives, Panchayat secretaries. Explain how to develop the villages. Inform them about the duties and responsibilities each person. Explain what does Sarpanches and secretaries should do? Invite Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and ZP Chairpersons as chief guests. Explain about duties and responsibilities during the Sammelam. Give ten days gap after the Sammelam. Tell them that the topography of villages should change for the better by that time. In all in 25 days, there should be a change in the villages. After that surprise checks will be conducted all over the State. Flying Squads will tour the State. As Chief Minister, I will also conduct surprise checks. Action should be taken against the villages, which are not up to the mark. For those who keep their villages clean and tidy, rewards and awards will be given.
• Palle Pragathi programme should continue. It is not a programme, which can be organised for some time and then stop. This not a special drive. This should continue forever. Telangana State should be known for having large number of Ideal Villages in the country. Make sure that people assigned the jobs do their work. Ministers, other public representatives, official should make the institution work. Plant saplings in every village and protect them. Among those planted 85 per cent should survive. Create dumping yards, crematorium and burial grounds in the villages. Purchase tractor to lift the garbage and water the plants.
• We keep Rs One Core with the Collectors so that he/she can undertake works, which come to their attention.
• Collectors should act firmly not only to plant saplings but also to control timber smuggling. Ensure that there are no illegal cuttings of the trees. Grow dense forests in the forestlands. Developing forest in ten acres of forestland is equivalent to developing 10,000 Acres in social forestry. Hence prepare an action plan to revive the forests and implement the same.
• Percentage of forest is less in Hyderabad, Gadwal, Karimnagar, Jangaon, Warangal Urban, Yadadri, Suryapet, and Narayanpet, Sangareddy districts. Collectors of these districts should concentrate on developing social forestry.
• It is the responsibility of the ministers and collectors to plant saplings and their protection. This is a litmus test for their work. Persons who neglect their duties and negligent will not be spared.
• Every development and welfare programme should start from the SC/ST areas. SC/ST are most backward in the society. People’s representatives, officials should visit Tribal Thands and Adivasis Gudems. Programme should start from these areas.
• We have filled up all the vacancies in the Panchayat Raj department. We have given powers to the Collectors to fill the post whenever a vacancy arises.
• Like Palle Pragathi, Pattana Pragathi programme will also be launched by the government. Action Plan of this programme is getting ready.
• The government is ready to fill up vacancies in the municipalities as it did for the Panchayat Raj department. The Municipal Administration Department should submit a report to the government on the vacant posts.
• In the past, there were 6 municipal Corporations in the State, which are increased to 13 now. Municipality’s number is also increased from 68 to 128. We will provide funds for the 141 urban local bodies. We will release Rs 78 Crore per month for Hyderabad and Rs 70 Crore to other cities. With these funds and the local funds, development plans should be prepared for the towns and cities.
• There are chances that cities having no sea shore will have more pollution and Delhi is the best example and how it is suffering. Hyderabad, which is regarded as the most livable city will have to face severe pollution problem if it is neglected and proper measures are not taken now. Hence, we have to be careful from now. There is 1.60 Lakh hectares of forestland available within and outside Hyderabad. Grow dense forests there. Develop Harini Vanasthali Park at Vanasthalipuram like the KBR national Park. Prepare a proper plan to control pollution in the city and implement it. Take measures to decrease diesel vehicles while there is an increase in Electric Vehicles. Take action so that there should be awareness in every house that the pollution should be under control.

Though the Telangana State stood first in several sectors but it is lagging behind in the literacy level only. Take a pledge to make the State totally literacy state.  Sarpanches should take the responsibility of turning the illiterate as literate in the village.  The Collectors should also take responsibility to make their district totally literate. Enlist the literacy rates in the Population Register. Give top priority to improve literacy rate among the SCs and STs.

During the Post-Lunch session in the Collectors Conference, senior officials, Collectors have expressed their views on programmes as to how they had gone on Palla Pragathi and the forthcoming Pattana Pragathi, Haritha Haram and other matters. A discussion took place on various issues. PCCF Ms Shobha spoke on Haritha haram and rejuvenation of forests. Commissioner Municipal Administration Satyanarayana briefed the participants on the new Municipal Act. The CM made several suggestions in this context. He also clarified the government stance on several matters. They are as follows:

• Civil Services Officials should have long-term strategies. They should have good thinking capacity. They should have awareness on all the issues. The young officers, who are working as Collectors now, will one day become Secretaries, Commissioners and serve in various capacities. Hence, they should be sent to other states and countries where best practices are followed. Study and learn the best methods and policies and implement the same in Telangana State.
• The state government has empowered Collectors through the New Municipal and Panchayat raj Act.
• The state government is of the firm opinion that administration can be streamlined by strengthening the institution of Collectors.
• The state government has decided to provide a wireless network to the top district administration to be in regular touch with the Collectors and other officials.
• It is the responsibility of the Collectors to rectify the revenue records, some of which are not in a proper shape. The revenue administration is with the Collectors.
• Records pertaining to the land should be perfect. There is a need to get reforms here. There is no dispute with regard to 95 per cent of the lands. Clear the rest of the land records.
• The additional Collectors appointed by the government should discharge their duties/ do justice to the department they are given. The additional Collectors who are made responsible for the local bodies should have the history, information and the entire data of the villages and towns in their computer systems.
• The Additional Collectors should decide as to what is the charged amount (debt service). Salaries, payment of power bills, debt instalments and other such expenditure will come under the charged amount.
• Additional Collectors should have periodic meetings with the DPO, DLPO, MPO, Village secretaries and monitor the situation regularly.
• Training program to be organised in Telangana Institute of Rural Development for two days to Additional Collectors for which collectors are also to be invited.
• People especially women who come to the towns on various works are put to lot of suffering due to lack of toilets. Public toilets are a must in every town. For this, utilise the government office’s premises and lands. Set up Toilets in Collectorates.
• Construct veg/Non-Veg Markets in all the towns. In Corporations there should be three and in towns at least one Veg/non-Veg market.
• The Collectors on top priority should send Utilisation certificates for the funds released under the Centrally sponsored schemes.
• Identify forest Blocks district wise and take measures for forest revival, rejuvenation and protection. Develop Urban Parks. Set up Monkey courts wherever it is necessary. We will allocate funds for the green plan programme like revival of forests in Budget so that there will not be any funds crunch.
• Settle land disputes between the Revenue and Forest departments. identify lands under shifting (Podu) cultivation. The government will take up a programme for this and I (CM) will personally visit the district concerned and will take up measures to put an end to the problem of lands under shifting cultivation.
• For Pattana Pragathi programme, take Ward as the Unit. Elected representatives, members appointed by the government for various committees from the ward should be made stakeholders in the programme. Officials, public representatives should conduct Padayatra and identify the problems Ward wise and compile the problems of the towns.
• Please do not remove Taxi stands, street vendors, pavement dwellers, pavement markets, forcibly without showing them an alternative and relocating them. There has to be a policy for the street vendors.
• Collectors should act with human approach.
• Utilise at maximum level MNAREGA funds for the green cover.
• Assess the Garbage plan in the Municipalities and strengthen the garbage collection team.