CM Plans Surprise Visits to Check Quality of Services in Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada: With a view to ensuring satisfactory public services by various government departments, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is planning to undertake surprise visits to various offices across the state after June 12.

Naidu reviewed the implementation of various schemes and services being provided by government departments with the chief secretary and senior officials from the CMO here on Monday.

The CM asserted, “We were reviewing the feedback from people on implementation of several schemes under four departments. We also want to ensure the quality of services being extended to people every week through IVRS, QR code and other means.”

Naidu underscored the need for APSRTC to improve its services. He reviewed the services vis-à-vis the ration shops, the Deepam scheme, the panchayat raj and APSRTC. “There was some palpable change in other departments,” he said.

The CM said his government was completing nearly a year and there must be change in the functioning of departments and their services in ways that there is “complete satisfaction” about these among the people.

As for the Deepam-2 scheme, Naidu said the government would remit the total subsidy amount for three domestic gas refills for a year in advance, in the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.So, they could get the refill whenever they wanted.

He stressed that no additional amount should be collected from the beneficiaries either by the gas agency or by others at any level.

On the distribution of essential commodities through fair price shops, he said a feedback was taken whether the card-holders had collected the ration for the month. Some 74 per cent replied that they did. When they were asked about the quality of the essentials, 76 per cent said it was good, the CM observed.

The West Godavari district stood first in the level of people’s satisfaction on distribution of essential commodities and on their quality.

As for delivery of domestic gas refills and extra money collected at the time of delivery, the feedback showed that 62 per cent of the beneficiaries replied that ‘no extra money was being collected’.

The CM asked the officials to address certain issues. In some places, extra money was being collected. Make payment in advance to address the issue, he said.

On APSRTC, Naidu observed that the feedback from the passengers was not on expected lines. There must be improvements. Transport officials must take corrective steps based on complaints about non-availability of water in some depots. Attention must also be paid to the maintenance of toilets. Some 44 per cent of the passengers expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the drinking water while only 55 per cent said they were satisfied with the maintenance of toilets.

On panchayat raj services, 60 per cent of the people who gave feedback said domestic waste was being collected from their homes. The garbage collection improved in rural areas, he said, adding that the Dwcra women would be given the responsibility to handle the wet waste in the coming days, so that it could be used for making compost.

Naidu underscored the importance of data analytics in government services as the data available through it would help assess the functioning of the government departments at the ground level and take corrective steps accordingly.

The officials informed the CM that the number of services available on Mana Mitra WhatsApp governance system would go up to 500 from the present 325. “We are making efforts to reach the target. So far, 45 lakh people availed varied services via this system,” they said.

On the proposed Drone City in 300 acres at Orvakal Industrial Node, officials said the first phase of works would be taken up on 116 acres of land. Some 38 agencies came forward to partner with the project. “The DPR for the project is ready and tender process would be completed by June 12,” the officials informed the CM.