Monthly virtual meet with Collectors

CHENNAI: To boost the government machinery and leave no stone unturned in taking welfare schemes to target sections of society, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday announced that she was planning to have a mon-thly video conferencing session with groups of collectors to monitor the progress at the grass-root level developmental works.In her concluding remarks at the District Collectors’ conference here, Jayalalithaa said during the video-conferencing session, she would like to be shown the noon-meal centres, SC/BC hostels, sanitary complexes, village roads, PDS shops and any other aspects, which may need reviewing.CM said civil servants were the steel framework of governance — the repository of the longevity of tradition. This framework had ensured smooth transitions of governments — continuity, in conformity with the Constitution. “Somewhere along the journey, a disconnect has crept in. Complacency has taken over, for which there may be, active and passive reasons.” Stating that a stro-ng and connected network was the hallmark of good governance, Jayalalithaa said she believed Collectors were the baton holders and she had faith in them. Pointing out that the prime focus of her government was on agriculture, the CM said all inputs had to be seasonal. For example, it would be a criminal waste to distribute fertilisers after the need ceases. She also said her personal pet subjects were children and youth. “I passionately believe every child sho-uld be given an opportunity to acquire education, enjoy good health, a decent childhood, and that every child should be equipped to become a meaningful and valuable asset of society.”She said Collectors should be sensitive to the environment of schools, hostels and the food served there. They should be fully conversant with the beneficial programmes for school children and see to it that there are no inter-departmental hiccups. “Thousands of crores are spent …yet we are still short of achievements. The spirit of any welfare scheme has to metamorphose into achie-ving the goal, and realisation of benefits. Completion of schemes, in terms of statistics alone will be inadequate”, she pointed out.