Significance of inspection visits by union ministers
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: October 20, 2022 -
It could be safely stated that frequent inspection visits by ministers and top officials of the union government to the north-eastern states are not only intended to get an update on status of developmental projects in the region but also give the impression that the centre has firm resolve to change the decades old narrative about step-motherly treatment of the region by New Delhi.
In sync with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directive to union ministers to tour the northeast region every month, there has been regular presence of ministers and bureaucrats of different ministries in the region to oversee implementation of welfare schemes and infrastructure development projects.
During such visits, union ministers make it a point to hold review meetings with district administrators and district level officers for assessing progress of specific projects, which the centre initiated to accelerate development in backward areas.
With PM Modi firmly saddled to orchestrate operation of government machinery and credited for the gradual expansion of the party's base in the region since BJP stormed to power in 2014, it is obvious that visits by union ministers would help dilute the perception about prolonged negligence of the north-eastern states by the centre.
Moreover, physical presence of the union ministers concerned at review meetings will also facilitate the district level officers to instantaneously highlight their grievances; administrative lapses or indifference by the regional governments, if any, hindering efficient execution of projects; share their ground level experiences about logistical issues in the majorly mountainous region; and seek intervention and support of the centre to expedite their tasks.
Importance of participation of union ministers during revision and update on developmental and welfare projects could be comprehended from chief medical officer of Churachandpur district pointing out to union minister of state for education Dr Subash Sarkar on Tuesday that manpower shortage is the main hindrance in effective healthcare delivery system in the district.
That the district has been facing serious problems in ensuring efficient healthcare service was also highlighted by the CMO when he stated that district has one CHC, seven PHCs and 58 PHSCs but operating with only 18 doctors.
Such shortcoming in the healthcare sector is not only limited to Churachandpur district for district level officers and civil bodies in other outlying districts too have been repetitively highlighting the same tale of sorry state of affairs through the media hoping that the state government would address their problems.
Such issues do exist in the twin capital districts but existence of private hospitals and educational institutional have been able to address shortcomings of government facilities to a great extent unlike in the hill and outlying valley districts where the private parties are reluctant to make investment either due to security reasons or lack of prospect for their profit-oriented ventures.
As such, district level officers should take advantage of the opportunity to interact with visiting union ministers and out-rightly point out the shortcomings rather than compiling and tabling reports only on smooth progress or implementation of projects with the ulterior motive to receive accolades from their political bosses here in the state.
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