Nitin Gadkari’s Witty Remark: “Some Officers Love Their Files More Than Their Wives,” Urges Timely Decision-Making

Mumbai: At the 25th Foundation Day celebration of the National Academy of Direct Taxes in Nagpur, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari struck a blend of humour and candour as he addressed bureaucratic inefficiency within government offices. Speaking to a gathering of senior officials and tax officers, Gadkari quipped that some officials seem to “love their files more than their wives,” a remark that drew laughter from the audience but also carried a serious message about administrative delays.

Sharing an anecdote from his own experience, the minister recalled asking a senior officer why files were being kept pending for months. “I told him—if you love your file so much, at least make a decision about it. Keeping it locked away doesn’t help anyone,” Gadkari said, underscoring how indecisiveness often hampers the pace of governance and project execution.

He further urged officers to adopt a practical and proactive approach in their functioning. “Take a decision—approve it or reject it—but don’t keep files gathering dust. Delays damage development,” he remarked, stressing that unnecessary red tape harms not only departments but also the public who depend on timely government action.

The minister also sympathized with contractors, entrepreneurs, and taxpayers who face hardships due to prolonged procedural hold-ups. “Contractors and business owners work with limited resources. When payments or clearances are delayed, it creates a chain reaction that affects livelihoods and progress,” he observed.