Date:10/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/10/stories/2008041053200500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Will streamline administration, says Collector

Staff Reporter

Kakinada: District Collector Gopalakrishna Dwivedi stated that ensuring foolproof implementation of the welfare schemes was his first priority and conveyed in no uncertain terms the message that he was not prepared to be lenient to derelict officials as no one could be exempted from the rules. The district lagged behind in certain areas despite having some of the best government officers and resources. His focus would, therefore, be on streamlining the administration.

Speaking at a ‘Meet-the-press’ programme organised here on Wednesday by the district branch of Andhra Pradesh Electronic Media Journalists’ Association (APEMJA), Mr. Dwivedi said the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), Rs. 2-a-kilo rice scheme and Indiramma houses were on top of his agenda as they were meant to alleviate the plight of the poor.

The district’s performance was exemplary in many aspects but with regard to the construction of houses under Indiramma scheme, the situation deteriorated from bad to worse: it’s rank fell from 10th to 21st due to some serious lapses in executing the project. Earlier, Superintendent of Police Y.Nagi Reddy said he was committed to do justice to all the aggrieved and he would deal each case on the basis of its merit irrespective of the pressure: political or otherwise, he might face. Controlling road accidents, bringing down the crime rate and other issues pertaining to the general law and order would be given the due priority.