Vijayawada: In a significant push to overhaul administrative machinery, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday positioned district collectors as the primary brand ambassadors of the state. Addressing the 5th collectors' conference at the secretariat, Naidu laid down a clear mandate: rebuild public trust through unprecedented speed, transparency, and accountability in governance.
The New Mantra: Speed of Delivering Governance
Chief Minister Naidu introduced 'Speed of Delivering Governance' as the state's new operational philosophy. This model directly applies the principles of 'Speed of Doing Business' to public administration. Naidu stated that the performance of collectors will now be critically judged based on their efficiency and the pace at which they deliver services and resolve issues.
He instructed all officials to swiftly clear public grievances and ensure the resolutions are published online for full transparency. Emphasizing a data-driven approach, Naidu mandated that every administrative decision must be backed by data and that all departmental file processing should transition to digital platforms.
Digital Deadlines and Surprise Checks
Setting a firm deadline, the Chief Minister announced that all government services will be offered online starting January 15. He directed officials to actively promote the WhatsApp governance system and the Mana Mitra App to ensure maximum public reach and accessibility.
In a move to ensure compliance, Naidu cautioned the revenue department against any negligence and declared that every public complaint must be resolved, stating 'Public satisfaction is paramount in governance.' To personally monitor the ground reality, he revealed plans to conduct surprise visits to various districts starting January to review the redressal of grievances.
Praise for Colleagues and Focus on Investment
During the conference, Naidu commended Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan for his sharp administrative focus. He cited an instance where a new constable's complaint about a missing road in his village led to Pawan Kalyan immediately sanctioning Rs 3.9 crore, showcasing responsive governance.
He also praised IT Minister Nara Lokesh for securing substantial investments for the state, including the Google data centre being established in Visakhapatnam. Naidu highlighted that all stalled central schemes have been revived under the new government.
Strict Orders on Funds and Growth Targets
Expressing strong displeasure over the poor utilization of funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), Naidu issued orders for immediate corrective action. 'We struggle for funds on one side but fail to spend what the centre gives us. This must change,' he asserted. He set January 15 as the deadline for spending all existing CSS funds and set an ambitious target of Rs 30,000 crore under CSS for the next financial year.
On the economic front, Naidu shared that Andhra Pradesh has approved investments worth ₹8.29 lakh crore through the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) and attracted ₹13.26 lakh crore at the Visakhapatnam summit, which is projected to generate over 23 lakh jobs. He directed collectors to fast-track land allotments and permissions to accelerate these projects. The state is aiming for a 15% GSDP growth with focused attention on water security, job creation, and agricultural technology.
Concluding his address, Naidu acknowledged the challenges of inherited debt and damaged infrastructure but affirmed the government's commitment to rebuilding. 'Our goal is simple — fast, transparent, and impactful governance that citizens can see and feel,' the Chief Minister stated, encapsulating the administration's renewed mission.
