What transpired in the high-level conference of top bureaucrats of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday gives an inkling of what the future holds in store for the state bureaucracy. It might have raised doubts in the minds of seasoned bureaucrats if Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is working on a secret plan to control the bureaucracy in the name of reforming the bureaucratic functioning in the state?

Naidu said he wants to ensure that the public works are done quickly without facing the bureaucratic hurdles. He shared his vision on how to make administration faster, simpler, and more accountable with top officials.

Naidu talked at length about the necessity to change business rules in order to facilitate improved public service delivery and exhorted the bureaucrats present there not to hesitate in amending business rules. To support his views, he cited the example of the Constitution, saying it has been amended several times to serve the needs of the people.

He was candid in asserting that out-dated processes should not obstruct efficiency and that file disposal must not only be faster but also smarter. Naidu was particularly peeved at the practice of preparing unnecessary files that burden the system.

But he made no bones about his intention to amend the business rules to eliminate redundant procedures. 

He said that to simplify governance, all needless regulations must be removed and government departments must undergo full-scale transformation. He insisted that every department must undergo regular audits and that performance-tracking metrics for each official and each department are now fully available with the government.

Naidu went on to reiterate that every officer must act with vision, accountability, and a clear understanding of their responsibility to citizens. He urged government staff not to approach tasks with negativity or reluctance.  Emphasising the importance of attitude in public service, Naidu noted that many officers deliver excellent results, but they also need to refine their conduct and approach while dealing with people. 

So, was Naidu trying to send a strong message to senior bureaucrats, including Heads of Departments (HoDs) and secretaries gathered on the occasion, by emphasising the need for a fundamental shift in bureaucratic functioning? 

 May be or may be not, but the way he attacked the bureaucratic mind-set coming in the way of efficient governance, it sounds probable.