Officials told to step up efforts to meet development targets

State Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Commissioner Krishnateja on Saturday asked officials to work in close coordination to achieve government goals and improve public service delivery.

Reviewing the performance of the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development departments in Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, and Polavaram districts at the VMRDA Children’s Arena, the Commissioner said the government had taken several steps for employee welfare, including appointments and promotions. He said the redesignation of Panchayat Secretaries as Panchayat Development Officers and the upgradation of EO-PRD posts to the level of Deputy MPDOs were intended to strengthen grassroots administration.

Mr. Krishnateja urged officials to clearly understand government priorities and ensure effective implementation of programmes at the field level. He cautioned against complacency and said overall development depended on accountability at every level.

During mandal-wise reviews, he directed officials to complete all property tax collections by February 15 and focus on strengthening revenue mobilisation. He instructed that bills related to rural development works be uploaded online without delay and said stalled works should be completed on a priority basis. All technical formalities, he added, must be completed within the current financial year, and bills for completed works should be submitted without fail.

The Commissioner said good performance would be recognised, while negligence would invite disciplinary action. Officials and Panchayat Secretaries who performed well, particularly in property tax collection and execution of development works, were presented certificates of appreciation.

Zilla Parishad CEO P. Narayanamurthy, Deputy CEO Raj Kumar, district-level officers, MPDOs, Deputy MPDOs, Panchayat Raj engineering officials, and Panchayat Secretaries attended the meeting.