OPENING REMARKS OF SELVI J JAYALALITHAA, HON’BLE CHIEF MINISTER OF TAMIL NADU AT THE CONFERENCE OF DISTRICT COLLECTORS HELD ON 12.12.2013
Hon’ble Ministers, Chief Secretary, Secretaries to Government and Heads of Departments, District Collectors and other Officers,
We have had very fruitful discussions on several issues concerning the maintenance of Law and Order yesterday. Today, we turn to the development Agenda. This presents us with a good opportunity to take stock of the progress in implementation of the plethora of new initiatives and schemes launched by my Government and the success achieved in terms of impacting the lives of the common people and fuelling growth and prosperity.
2. The slowdown in the national economy has affected the growth performance of the State economy as well. The severe drought in the State during 2012 impacted growth particularly in the agriculture and allied activities sector. We need to focus on taking all efforts to revive economic growth and put it back on a high growth trajectory. I am quite confident that with the sustained and focussed efforts that we are undertaking across all sectors the State would be able to achieve the growth target for 2013-2014.
3. The growth model that I have adopted for Tamil Nadu is to achieve equitable development through inclusive growth. The emphasis is on the word “inclusive”. It is the duty of the State to ensure that no one is excluded from the development process and this means that each one of you has a special responsibility to expand the reach of the Government schemes and programmes to the most vulnerable and marginalised sections of Society –- Adi Dravidars, Tribals, Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Women, Children and the disabled.
4. In this context, I am reminded of how a scholar of Public Administration described the institution of the District Collector, and I quote, “The general image of the Collector in the people’s mind is not that of the coercive apparatus of Government but the benevolent arm of the Government extended to the people. He/She is primarily a welfare officer. It is he/she who is expected to provide relief to people affected by natural calamities, local troubles and even in personal difficulties.” This is the image I would expect each one of you to live up to.
5. I look forward to a focused and meaningful discussion on the important items on the agenda and to learn from you as to how the benefits of the unprecedented number of new initiatives and schemes taken up by my Government have reached all the intended beneficiaries. The items listed out in the Agenda may now be taken up sequentially for discussion.
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Issued By:- DIPR, Secretariat, Chennai - 9.
