Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has directed district collectors to strengthen local-level administration to ensure quick and honest resolution of public grievances. Speaking at the Collector Conference in Gandhinagar, the CM emphasized that public trust can be earned by understanding citizens’ difficulties and responding with empathy and efficiency.
Local Resolution of Issues a Priority
The Chief Minister stressed that issues resolvable at the district level should not require citizens to approach higher authorities. Collectors were instructed to resolve such matters locally in a speedy, transparent, and effective manner, ensuring that citizens face no unnecessary hurdles.
Field Visits and Scheme Monitoring Key Responsibilities
Patel urged collectors to prioritize field visits and closely monitor the implementation of government schemes. He emphasized the importance of honesty, integrity, competence, and effectiveness in district administration, and highlighted that their roles offer a significant opportunity to serve the public by addressing problems of the common man.
Strong Financial Management Enables Rapid Development
Noting that Gujarat no longer faces fund shortages for development work due to strong financial management, the CM instructed collectors to supervise ongoing projects under various schemes and ensure their swift and high-quality completion. He also stressed teamwork and uniform interpretation of rules across districts to simplify administrative processes for citizens.
Promotion of Natural Farming
Chief Minister Patel highlighted the importance of natural farming for a healthy lifestyle and urged district collectors to promote and implement the state’s mission for natural farming in their respective districts.
Revenue Department Reforms and Public-Centric Measures
Minister of State for Revenue Sanjaysinh Mahida urged collectors to:
- Act on public representations promptly
- Expedite property card distribution under the Swamitva Yojana
- Streamline district-level feedback mechanisms
- Ensure newly created taluka-level government offices become operational quickly
He also recommended periodic reviews of online portals and stressed the importance of capacity building for district-level officials (“karmayogis”) to ensure benefits reach the grassroots.
Focus on Land Reforms and Pending Issues
Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Jayanti Ravi noted that the CM recently approved Inspector of Land Reforms posts at the taluka level. Collectors were asked to focus on reducing pending land-related issues and improving efficiency in the district administration.
Conference Participation and Discussions
The one-day conference saw participation from Chief Secretary MK Das, senior secretaries, Additional Principal Secretary Dr. Vikrant Pandey, District Collectors, and Revenue Department officials. Reviews were held on pending cases for iORA/E-Dhara, iRCMS, DCLR/ALT, as well as discussions on issues related to the Health Department.
