VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction over education department’s negligence in implementing biometric attendance system in schools. The Chief Minister also found fault with the Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao for failing to monitor the happenings in his department.While inquiring about the installation of the biometric machines in schools, the Chief Minister lost his cool after the School Education Department Commissioner K Sandhyarani replied that the process was still under progress.
“How can you improve quality in education when you are taking years for installation of biometric machines, which should be an overnight affair if appointed a proper consultancy,’’ the Chief Minister pointed out.
Intervening at this juncture, Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao tried to come to the rescue of the education department officials. But, the Chief Minister made it clear that the education department should improve performance as the government is focusing on real-time governance. Turning to Ganta Srinivivasa Rao, Naidu told him that if things do not work, it was the duty of a minister to get them moving. That is where leadership qualities come into picture. “You, as a minister, should set things right and do not blame them for lapses,” he said.
On the second and final day of the Collectors Conference here on Thursday, the Chief Minister wanted the district collectors to ensure that the entire State be governed through the e-Pragathi portal. He said that now, it is time to get things moving and set the trends at the state level so that the country also moves towards real-time governance and transparency. Grievances should be addressed in real time and the departments must be able to coordinate efficiently, he said.
He said that this will begin a new era in governance and put an end to the menace of corruption.
Stating that the State recorded a 67% growth rate in public health infrastructure development in the first quarter of 2017-18, the Chief Minister said that a health bulletin will be released every month as part of the Arogya Andhra programme. Aimed at increasing medical care in tribal areas, the Chief Minister directed the officials to introduce bike ambulances to provide emergency medical care to the needy in tribal areas. He said that there is a need for 24-hour health centres in such remote locations. He also said that doctors working in these areas will be given better salaries.
Announcing to set up 115 vision centres to cater to eye care of the poor, he said Mee Seva will now issue Online Disability Certificate for the systematic diagnosis and management of medical records of disability.
Sports Policy
Officials said that 25 Kreeda Vikas Kendras (KVKs) have been completed and 63 new KVKs will be completed by March 2018. The Chief Minister approved of Mandal Kreeda Kendras and asked them to identify land and establish the centres as soon as possible. As many as 3,237 playgrounds have been identified for development under MNREGS scheme. Rs 5 lakh will be spent on development of each playground. The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the department for the planning of a world-class sports facility at Acharya Nagarjuna University, with synthetic tracks and floodlights for conducting mega events including National Games.