To Improve Governance, Maharashtra Limits District Collectors’ Meetings at Mantralaya
Mumbai, 23rd February 2025: The Maharashtra government has introduced new guidelines to restrict state departments from frequently summoning district collectors to Mantralaya, citing disruptions to administrative work at the district level.
According to the order, only the Chief Minister (CM), Deputy Chief Ministers (DCMs), and the Chief Secretary can call collectors for meetings without restrictions. For other departments, meetings with collectors should be scheduled only on Wednesdays and Thursdays and should be conducted online whenever possible.
The directive also specifies that before calling collectors for non-revenue-related matters, departments must obtain prior written approval from the Revenue Department. Additionally, meetings should not be held at locations outside district headquarters—including Mantralaya—without explicit permission from the Revenue Department, which is headed by BJP minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
Officials highlighted that the high number of meetings was due to the presence of 42 ministers in the three-party government, leading to an increased demand for collectors’ time.
A senior official explained, “Apart from overseeing revenue-related matters, district collectors are also responsible for coordinating with multiple departments and implementing government schemes. The frequent meetings at the state level are adding to their workload, affecting efficiency at the district level.”
The order also notes that excessive meetings have been interfering with the CM’s 100-day program, which focuses on governance priorities and development initiatives.
By streamlining meeting schedules, the government aims to ensure that district collectors can focus on local governance and service delivery without unnecessary disruptions.
