Shimla, November 30 – In a significant step toward improving public grievance redressal, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) in Himachal Pradesh to hold regular sessions with the public every Monday and Thursday. The initiative is aimed at providing a direct channel for citizens to address their concerns with district-level authorities.
Public Grievances to Be Heard Twice a Week
Under this new directive, DCs and SPs will be available in their respective offices on Mondays and Thursdays to listen to the grievances of the general public. The move aims to ensure that citizens have easy access to government officials for resolving issues that affect their daily lives. The directive was issued by the Secretary of Administrative Reforms, reinforcing the government’s commitment to transparent and responsive governance.
Handling Holidays and Alternate Arrangements
In case a Monday or Thursday coincides with a public holiday, the concerned Deputy Commissioner or Superintendent of Police will reschedule the grievance session to the next working day. This flexibility ensures that the grievance redressal process is uninterrupted and that the public continues to have access to officials when needed.
A Step Toward Faster Problem Resolution
This initiative follows instructions given by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during a conference held with all DCs and SPs in Shimla on November 7-8. During the meeting, CM Sukhu emphasized the importance of timely responses to public complaints to avoid delays in resolving issues. He underlined that direct interaction between officials and citizens would help in addressing grievances more efficiently and prevent backlogs of unresolved matters.
Complementary to the ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ Scheme
The public grievance initiative also aligns with the state government’s ongoing “Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar” program, which involves ministers visiting rural areas to listen to and address the concerns of people living in remote parts of the state. Together, these initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to improving access to governance and ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard.
Strengthening Governance at the Grassroots Level
By introducing a structured, consistent approach to handling public grievances, the Himachal Pradesh government is setting a new standard for responsiveness in governance. The efforts are designed to strengthen the relationship between citizens and government officials, ensuring that people’s concerns are given due attention without unnecessary delays.
This initiative is seen as a proactive step toward enhancing government accountability and responsiveness, as well as fostering a culture of transparency and accessibility in state administration.