What do people expect from a collector? A positive and inclusive approach that fosters growth, addresses the issues of everyday people, and ensures accessibility whenever they need assistance. But can a collector truly bring about meaningful change in just six months? Meet Mr. Raushan Kumar Singh, a 2015 batch IAS officer and Collector of Vidisha, MP, who has brought significant changes in areas like grievances redressal, health, employment, education, farmers’ welfare, and livestock welfare. By taking direct initiatives on the ground and engaging with the people, he ensures their problems are being addressed.
Indian Masterminds spoke with him to learn more about his efforts and how he is driving change in Vidisha.
CALLING HIMSELF
“Hello, I’m Roshan Kumar Singh, the Collector of Vidisha. You had filed a complaint on the CM Helpline – has it been resolved?” People were surprised to receive a call directly from the Collector himself. Since taking office in August last year, Collector Raushan has made it a priority to personally follow up with those who’ve lodged complaints, ensuring their issues are being resolved. Using the control room’s mobile number, he connects with citizens to listen to their concerns and take action. His holistic vision for the district addresses a wide range of issues, from subsidies to safeguarding the overall well-being of every citizen.
HEALTH
A major achievement over the past four months is that there have been no home deliveries in the district; all deliveries have been institutional. Previously, an average of 15 home deliveries occurred every month, which posed risks to both the mother and child. To address this, coordination was established between two key departments – the Women and Child Development Department and the Health Department. Raushan held regular meetings, providing clear guidance and direction. Birth waiting rooms were set up, pregnant women’s villages were mapped, and advanced information on ambulance services was provided. This led to better data sharing and coordination, with Anganwadi and Asha workers collaborating effectively.
Additionally, efforts are being made to combat malnutrition and improve growth indicators for children. Raushan explained that hot, nutritious meals are being prepared and served through Anganwadi centers, benefitting around 20,000 children. “Our next target is to reduce maternal deaths to zero,” he added.
FARMERS WELFARE
The administration has made significant strides in the health sector. Weighing in mandis has been upgraded from small scales to large dharamkantas, which use trolleys to weigh entire loads, saving time and reducing losses by 40-50 kg per trolley. Although traders initially resisted, the change was implemented after negotiations.
In agriculture, the focus on crop diversification has grown due to climate change and water scarcity. The administration has encouraged the cultivation of crops like Ashwagandha, coriander, guava, and oranges, with about 1,500 hectares now dedicated to these crops. Around 10,000 farmers are now cultivating non-traditional crops, supported by free training, seeds, and subsidies. Community engagement through seminars and success stories from fellow farmers has been key to the initiative’s success. He said, “The biggest challenge was persuading the farmers, but once success stories started emerging, others began to understand because it was coming from their peers.”
EDUCATION
In the education sector, the administration has made significant strides. Previously, there were widespread complaints about schools opening late, closing early, low teacher attendance, and issues with ghost teachers – where someone else would be sent in place of the assigned teacher. To tackle this, geo-tagging attendance was introduced, and its monitoring is carried out at the block level, with daily reports sent directly to the Collector. While an average of 300 teachers were absent daily in the past, this number has now dropped to just 10. “Motivated teachers are key – once they receive regular encouragement and appreciation, much of the work is already done,” Raushan said. Furthermore, there is a strong focus on improving board exam results, with the goal of achieving a 100% pass rate for students.
SELF-HELP GROUPS
Talking about increasing employment, Raushan emphasized the power of women self-help groups, stating that they are a driving force capable of strengthening any scheme. This is why the administration is now promoting these groups across the district. Women in these self-help groups are producing a wide range of items, from handicrafts to cow dung products, and the administration is supporting them in both production and sales. They are being provided with access to online markets, helping them reach a broader customer base. “Last Diwali, they made gobar diyas, which were very popular and sold well in local markets,” he said.
LIVESTOCK WELFARE
Efforts to improve animal care, especially in cow shelters, have been underway. Previously overcrowded, with more cattle than capacity, the administration took steps to free up grazing land in the district. In the last four months, 400 hectares of land were reclaimed from illegal occupation. Temporary shelters were then set up to provide cattle with a safe, spacious environment. “Napier grass and cherry grass are being grown, and Aushadhi Kendras have been set up on this land to treat old and injured cattle,” Raushan explained.
