It’s better, but staff needed

One year after they were created, the 21 new districts have brought administration closer to the people and improved delivery of services but are grappling with infrastructure and staff issues.

Additional staff has not been appointed. Existing staff deputed on ‘order to serve’ basis with a promise that they would be brought back within three months are continue to serve at new places even after a year.

The benefit of smaller districts is clearly visible with increased discipline among staff, punctuality, easy accessibility of higher officials to common people.

Reports obtained by the government revealed that punctuality had increased to 98 per cent, against 70 per cent in the erstwhile districts. Absentee-ism had decreased significantly from 10 per cent to 2 per cent.

This is because each district headquarters is less than 60 km from any town or village, making it easier for higher officials to inspect any office. A collector said this had put a sense of fear among employees. Earlier, the average distance of district headquarters from a village was nearly 200 km.

“There were hardly any inspections in remote areas earlier due to the distance and work load. With new districts, their jurisdiction and work load became less. They are covering the entire district within days,” said Deputy CM Mohd Mahmood Ali.

Besides, collectors are holding Mee Kosam on Monday to address public grievances.

“Earlier, it was not possible for the people to meet collectors and SPs and air their grievances due to the size of the districts. Now, the districts have become smaller making it accessible for the people to meet senior officials,” said Mr A. Padma Chary, president, Telangana Udyogula Sangham.