The Hindu : Govt. schemes: Antony's directive to officials

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 23, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Govt. schemes: Antony's directive to officials

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM APRIL 22. The Kerala Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, has asked Secretaries and heads of departments to avoid delays in the implementation of Government decisions.

Addressing a conference of higher officials, the Chief Minister said serious delays were occurring in the proper implementation of Government decisions. This situation could not be allowed to continue. Results of Government decisions beneficial to the people should reach the grassroots level without delay. Outdated rules and procedures that caused delays should be changed.

Mr. Antony said he would be personally reviewing the performance of each department as the Government completes two years in office next month.

He said that though the Government had not been able to end the financial crisis, there had been improvements. Notable achievements were made in respect of tax collection.

Noting that this year was being observed as development year, the Chief Minister said no Government cheques should bounce during the year. Tax evasion should be checked. Revenue collection should be improved further. The Sales Tax Department should be able to achieve the revenue target of Rs. 6,400 crores for the current year.

Mr. Antony said the heads of departments should give more details about various projects at the time of their formulation itself. This was needed for successful implementation (without hindrance). They should prepare proposals in tune with Central projects for getting Central assistance.

He said there should be advance planning and decisions on schemes to be carried out by each department. Administrative sanction should be issued for schemes included in the Annual Plan before August 31. Allocation of funds should be streamlined, taking the working and requirement of each department into account.

He also called for increased attention to implementation of Centrally-sponsored schemes in the State. Departments should attend to getting more loans from abroad. Projects for this should be prepared in time.

Reiterating that the Government was committed to allotting one acre of land to each tribal family, the Chief Minister said the departments should initiate concerted efforts to find land for distribution. More attention should be paid to implementation of the food-for-work programme and prevention of starvation deaths.

He said all the four instalments of plan funds would be released to the local bodies this year. It should be possible to improve plan implementation on completion of the redeployment of staff.

He also called upon the officials to pay more attention to process projects considered at the Global Investor Meet in a time-bound manner for implementation.

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