MP Chief Secretary directs collectors to boost district economies, improve governance delivery

BHOPAL/Reviewing governance, law and order, agriculture and industrial development with divisional commissioners, collectors and superintendents of police through video conferencing on Wednesday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anurag Jain directed district administrations to make “sensitive and focused efforts” towards building district-level economies while ensuring strict action against illegal activities and criminals.

The Chief Secretary said public service delivery mechanisms such as Lok Seva Guarantee, CM Helpline and public grievance hearings were key indicators of good governance and stressed that officials must adopt a humane and sensitive approach while dealing with citizens’ complaints.

Reviewing revenue administration, Jain instructed collectors to ensure time-bound disposal of mutation, demarcation and land partition cases, saying no case should remain pending beyond the prescribed period. He also called for a campaign-mode drive to complete nazul lease renewals and directed officials to give top priority to resolving drinking water complaints through the CM Helpline.

On law and order, Jain said those involved in illegal activities should fear the administration and asked district authorities to take stringent action against illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals. He directed monthly meetings of district task forces and ordered confiscation and early auction of vehicles involved in illegal mineral transportation, especially those without proper number plates.

He further instructed officials to review old mining-related criminal cases and expedite legal formalities in cases where convictions were still pending. Additional Chief Secretary (Home) was asked to issue procedural guidelines to collectors and SPs for crime prevention measures.

Director General of Police Kailash Makwana directed police officials to develop drug-free zones around educational institutions and hold monthly NCORD meetings. He also stressed speedy action in POCSO cases and strict enforcement of the Explosives Act across the state.

Reviewing preparations for the upcoming kharif season, the Chief Secretary expressed satisfaction over the availability of fertilisers, seeds and agricultural inputs and directed that fertiliser distribution be carried out through the e-Vikas portal. He asked district administrations to ensure that fertiliser centres do not witness overcrowding and encouraged promotion of NPK fertilisers as an alternative to DAP through farmer outreach.

Jain also called for measures to reduce stubble burning incidents through awareness campaigns among farmers.

On economic and industrial development, the Chief Secretary instructed collectors to identify clusters for expansion of horticulture and food processing activities and formulate plans for developing cold storage infrastructure and agro-based industries in coordination with the MSME department.

He said the contribution of agriculture and horticulture to the state’s GSDP had increased from 37 per cent to 43 per cent. Collectors were also directed to prepare projects under the Centre’s Bharat Industrial Development Scheme and make land available for industrial areas in the remaining 58 Assembly constituencies, in line with the Chief Minister’s announcement.

Reviewing procurement operations, Jain instructed district administrations in divisions likely to receive rainfall over the next two days to ensure safe storage and transportation of procured wheat to warehouses. He also directed that payments to farmers be completed within a week of procurement.

In the urban and rural development sector, officials were asked to improve implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in both urban and rural areas and ensure uninterrupted and safe water supply. The Chief Secretary stressed adherence to Supreme Court guidelines on cleanliness and called for priority implementation of the National e-Clean Programme with participation of public representatives and citizens.

Reviewing transport and road safety measures, Jain directed regular meetings of road safety committees and asked officials to ensure sensitive implementation of relief schemes for accident victims and their families. He noted a decline in road accidents and fatalities over the past nine months and stressed correction of black spots and stricter enforcement of traffic rules.

The Chief Secretary also instructed officials to work with the law department for large-scale disposal of pending court cases during the “Samadhan Samaroh” scheduled from August 21 to 23. He further directed completion of works under the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan before June 21 and stressed that tourist safety at reservoirs must remain a top priority.