Timely decision-making key to good governance: says CM
He was speaking at a regional review meeting on development and administrative progress in Kannur, Kasaragod, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts.
'Decisions that can be taken at one's level should not be unnecessarily passed on to higher levels. Officers must take prompt action within the framework of existing rules, and the government will fully back such decisions,' the Chief Minister said. He added that civil servants, from junior officers to the Chief Secretary, were key to the effective functioning of government.
Mr. Vijayan highlighted improvements in administrative efficiency, noting that around 1,000 services had been digitised, and taluk-level adalats had addressed numerous public grievances. He also referred to successful interactions with citizens during the Nava Kerala Sadas.
'Although decisions are taken faster, the pace can still be improved. The file adalat system is helping, with oversight by secretaries and even inspection at the level of the Chief Secretary,' he noted.
The Chief Minister strongly criticised sections of the media for what he described as deliberate attempts to create a negative image of the State's performance. 'There are conscious efforts to misrepresent our achievements. The media is not reporting facts anymore, but their opinions,' he said.
He particularly defended the State's healthcare sector, calling it one of the best in India. 'Medical colleges in Kerala have made significant progress due to conscious government intervention and increased budget allocation. Yet there is a concerted attempt to project a false picture, he said.
On the controversy surrounding Dr. Harris Hasan of the Thiruvanathapuram Medical College Hospital, who publicly raised concerns about delayed surgeries, the Chief Minister said, 'The official might have been sincere, but his statement was misused to malign the entire healthcare system. That should not have happened.'
The Chief Minister also pointed to the ongoing expansion of the National Highway network, terming it a major achievement. He claimed that some prominent media houses have assigned special teams to highlight only negatives in infrastructure development, including roads, with the intent to tarnish the government's image.
A parallel meeting of police officers was also held on the day. The meeting was chaired by the Chief Minister and attended by State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar. The session reviewed the law and order situation in the four northern districts.
Ministers Ramachandran Kadanappally, K. Krishnankutty, P.A. Mohamed Riyas, M.B. Rajesh, and O.R. Kelu, Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak, and District Collectors attended the review meeting.
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