New districts will take time to stabilise: S.P. Singh

People find it more convenient to approach government agencies

October 08, 2017 08:43 pm | Updated October 10, 2017 08:38 am IST - HYDERABAD

Chief Secretary S. P. Singh.

Chief Secretary S. P. Singh.

Districts reorganisation was a massive exercise taken up by Telangana, not attempted by any State in the country. Any pro-people exercise of such magnitude will take time to stabilise. And government is getting there, overcoming the twin challenges of infrastructure and staff shortage in the new districts, says Chief Secretary S.P. Singh.

Speaking to The Hindu in the light of first anniversary of districts’ reorganisation on October 11, the Chief Secretary said that the objective of reorganisation was taking administration closer to people and improving quality of governance and services.

Is the objective being realised?

Definitely, there is much better reach of administration. People are finding it easier and more convenient to approach government agencies and access information as well as service delivery.

The biggest take away in the exercise, Mr. Singh said, was enhanced level of leadership, zeal and commitment reflected in the functioning of District Collectors. As the first Collectors of new districts, they had to build systems and create a work culture. “I see that the Collectors are hands on with data, information which they are leveraging for proper designing of programmes for different sections of society and areas”, he says.

On dearth of infrastructure, Mr. Singh says about ₹1,500 crore budget has been sanctioned for construction of 26 integrated district office complexes. Tenders have been finalised and work has started. The complexes will be ready within a year.

An integrated district office complex housing all department offices at one place along with the Collectorate ensures better coordination among different wings. The Government also sanctioned District Police Complexes at 13 places and two Police Commissionerates in Siddipet and Ramagundam. Land was being identified for the complexes in other new districts, he said.

On the new district administrations grappling with staff shortage, Mr. Singh said that posts were sanctioned on a priority basis in the important Revenue and Police departments and recruitment was on for 2,500 posts in the revenue department.

The State had written to the Centre for cadre strength revision to address shortage of IAS officers. It will be done over the next three to four years.

Does fund allocation for new districts’ infrastructure and flagship programmes pose a strain on Exchequer?

The Chief Secretary does not think so. Though districts are reorganised, there was no change in population and area. The fund allocation was based on population and areas the flagship programmes would cater to.

Did the work load for the Chief Secretary go up as now he would communicate with 31 Collectors instead of 10? “With better communication tools and technology at our disposal, today one can instantly reach out through video conferences, teleconferences, mobile apps,” he added. The communication has become instant and faster.

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