Chennai: The TVK-led coalition government in Tamil Nadu has appointed guardian ministers in each district to oversee implementation of welfare schemes and development works. Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat have previously followed this model.
The Vijay government Wednesday issued an order putting cabinet ministers in charge for all 34 districts of the state, designating them as monitoring officers to ensure that welfare schemes are implemented swiftly at the grassroots level.
Although the DMK and AIADMK used to informally assign ministers to oversee specific districts during elections and natural disaster scenarios like cyclones and floods, the current system is a novel one as it covers all 34 districts of the state.
The order directed the ministers-in-charge to accelerate government scheme deliveries in the assigned districts, monitor the reaching of welfare benefits to the masses and ensure the smooth functioning of government offices while also leading emergency operations in times of crisis.
Rural development minister N. Anand has been assigned Villupuram and Cuddalore districts. Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna has been made in-charge of Chennai and Tiruvannmalai. Finance Minister N.Marie Wilson of Dr.Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency has been assigned Tirunelvelli. IT and AI Minister R.Kumar has been given responsibility of Tiruvallur and Food Minister P.Venkatramanan has been given charge of Mayiladuthurai.
A TVK functionary said, “Each minister is responsible for a district and the overall development of the particular district rests with them. The implementation of the government welfare schemes can be streamlined and overseen by one individual and it also strengthens the administration by bridging the gap between government policy and district level implementation”. The system is already prevalent in Karnataka.
Party sources said monitoring officers are expected to coordinate with district collectors, department heads and field-level officials to ensure that welfare benefits reach the people without delay. “Since there are several infrastructure and development works already pending from the previous government, the direct involvement of the ministers will help to expedite all pending development works, while also overseeing the disbursement of the welfare scheme of the new government benefits to eligible beneficiaries,” said a party functionary.
Beyond routine oversight, the ministers are also required to lead emergency coordination during natural disasters and public health crises. They are also supposed to conduct review meeting with district-level officials and coordinate with IAS officers, district monitoring officials and all department heads to streamline the schemes across every level of administration.
(Edited by Archishman Ganguly)
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