The Collectors’ Conference, held once every two months by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has increasingly become a tense affair for senior IAS officers, as the Chief Minister uses the platform to review their performance and pull them up over delays.
On the second day of the Collectors’ Conference at the Secretariat on Friday, Naidu expressed displeasure over delays in clearing government files and questioned ministers and senior officials over the slow pace of decision-making.
Naidu reportedly asked why ministers and officials were able to respond quickly to WhatsApp messages but were taking much longer to process official files. He expressed frustration over delays in file clearances and stressed that such administrative lapses would directly affect the implementation of development and welfare programmes.
“Can’t you remain without your mobile phones even for a few hours? There is absolutely no attention being paid to official responsibilities,” he reportedly said.
He also took exception to the absence of some officials from the Collectors’ Conference and questioned how they could stay away from such an important administrative meeting.
Naidu specifically referred to delays in clearing files with Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav, Transport Minister Mandapati Ramprasad Reddy and Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra.
He said that files pending at his own level were also taking around four days for clearance and directed that the turnaround time be reduced.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister reportedly sought details from ministers, heads of departments, secretaries and district Collectors about the time taken to dispose of files at their respective levels.
Naidu made it clear that delays in decision-making would not be tolerated and stressed the need for officials to respond quickly so that the government could deliver tangible results.
He directed the Chief Secretary to seek explanations from officials regarding delays in clearing files. He also warned that the government would intensify “360-degree surveillance” of officials in the coming days to monitor their performance and the time taken to dispose of official matters.
Naidu stressed that the speed at which files are processed has a direct impact on governance. He called upon ministers and officials to act faster and ensure that government decisions translate into visible results.
