Bhubaneswar: More than 1,700 people from different parts of the state registered their names to place their grievances before Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell here Monday. Majhi heard the grievances of the people from 10am to 4:30pm and assured that soon public grievances will be heard at district level and even revenue divisions. During interaction with reporters, the Chief Minister said plans are afoot to decentralise Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell and hold public hearing outside Bhubaneswar to ensure speedy redressal of people’s issues. Expressing happiness over the hearing held so far, Majhi said, “Over 1,700 people from different parts of the state got registered for the session held Monday and action has so far been initiated in more than 1,000 cases. The process is still underway.” The CM said six ministers, including Deputy CM KV Singh Deo, five secretaries and several senior officials were present during the hearing.
Lamenting that the CM’s grievance cell remained shut for over 16 years, Majhi said the problems of many people remained unresolved for a very long time because of this. Stressing that the government aims to ensure speedy justice for the people, Majhi said the public grievance hearing process will further be strengthened and decentralised. “People can also get their grievances redressed at the district level instead of visiting Bhubaneswar with minor issues,” he said. There is a plan to make the process more flexible and take the grievance cell to the level of revenue divisions, Majhi asserted. The proposal is being studied and examined, the CM added.
People who came with their grievances included differently abled, children, destitute women. Rohit Pradhan a homeless differently-abled man from Bhubaneswar requested for shelter in the City to which the CM immediately directed the H&UD department secretary to take action in this regard. Similarly, Nirupama Nayak of Paradip area came to meet the CM with her two disabled children and asked for help. Majhi assured her of all help and also asked her whether she is getting any pension.
