Pudukkottai Collector Inspects Local Services Under ‘Ungalai Thedi, Ungal Ooril’ Drive

On Tuesday, Pudukkottai District Collector M. Aruna stepped out of her office and into the community, part of the state‑wide “Ungalai Thedi, Ungal Ooril” (Look for us, In Your Town) initiative that aims to bring officials closer to the people they serve.

Her first stop was the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme at Chidambaram Chettiar Memorial Higher Secondary School. While the bright tiles and chirping morning chatter set a pleasant tone, Aruna took a closer look at the food being served, noting the quality of the meals and checking the attendance registers that track which students actually benefit from the programme.

From there she moved to Kottur, where a brand‑new sub‑health centre – a ₹45 lakh project funded through the 15th Finance Commission grant – had just opened its doors. She walked the corridors, asked the staff about the services on offer and made sure the equipment was in place, essentially giving the building a quick “once‑over” to see if it lived up to its promise.

The tour continued to the Primary Health Centre in Nachandupatti. Here, Aruna spent a few moments talking with pregnant women undergoing treatment, listening to their concerns about medicine availability and overall care. She also glanced around the facility, noting the cleanliness and the functioning of basic amenities – the kind of on‑the‑ground feedback that numbers alone can’t capture.

But the collector’s day wasn’t limited to health and education. Senior officials from a host of departments – ranging from Anganwadi centres to orphanages, from water supply to street lighting – were dispatched to inspect government offices, schools, hospitals, solid‑waste management sites and even the local roads. The goal: a snap‑check of how public services are faring in real time.

After the field visits, Aruna chaired a review meeting back in Thirumayam. Officials presented their inspection reports and, importantly, shared details of grievances lodged by citizens during the visits. The collector reminded everyone that these complaints must be uploaded without delay to the Chief Minister’s grievance portal, and that each case should be resolved within a clear, time‑bound framework.

“We are here to listen, to act, and to make sure that every penny spent translates into better lives for the people of Pudukkottai,” Aruna said, wrapping up a day that blended paperwork with people‑to‑people interaction.