Minister of Housing and Urban Development P. Rajkumar on Friday directed the officials of various departments and stakeholders of road safety to work towards reducing the number of accidents in the district.

Speaking at the review meeting held at the collector office here, he said the district stood fifth in terms of accident rate in the State. It was a matter of concern. The accident rate should be brought down. There was a strong need for a concerted action to reduce the accidents. All departments and stakeholders should take steps on priority to reduce accidents.

Mr. Rajkumar said Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay was keen on government services and schemes reaching the people on time. He had given instructions to ensure all services reaching the beneficiaries concerned. The role of officials was essential in implementing the schemes. Priority should be given to the poor, marginalised, and economically backward sections of the people. The people visiting government offices should be treated with dignity and respect.

The Minister said there should be an ecosystem where intellectual capacity and innovative ideas of students studying in schools and colleges nurtured. Adequate awareness should be created among them to increase the use of libraries. Action should be taken to improve the safety and economic background of women. Action should be taken to provide fast services through e-governance using digital technologies in government offices. The system for monitoring complaints through the internet should be strengthened.

Collector N. Mirunalini presided over the meeting, Superintendent of Police Viswesh Balasubramaniam Shastri, Jayankondam MLA K. Vaithilingam and officials of various departments participated. The Minister reviewed the progress of ongoing schemes with the officials.

Later, the Minister inspected the construction of a 50-bed hospital at Walajanagaram.