Oommen Chandy said the thrust of the campaign was to bridge the gap between the people and government. (File photo)
Thiruvananthapuram:
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today resumed his "mass contact programme" of direct redressal of people's grievances, ignoring protest staged by opposition LDF near the venue in Thiruvananthapuram.
Launching the second phase of the programme after a recess of an year, Mr Chandy said the thrust of the campaign was to bridge the gap between the people and government and speedy settlement of grievances through personal contact.
The experience gained from the campaign would be taken into account in government's efforts to update rules and procedures for better governance and improved delivery of services, he said.
The first phase of the programme, which saw Mr Chandy touring all districts around the state receiving petitions from all sections of the people on a host of issues from title deeds to delay in getting welfare pensions, has won the UN Public Service award for its efforts to improve governance.
The LDF, however, dubbed the exercise as a "mere gimmick" to cover up the failures of the government and deflect attention from issues like solar scam haunting Mr Chandy.
Scores of LDF workers staged a sit-in near the programme venue as part of their boycott of Mr Chandy demanding his resignation in view of the alleged role of his office in the solar scam, which saw promoters of a solar solution company cheating a large number of people of huge sums.
The protesters, including MLAs and MPs, were removed by the police.
Union Minister Shashi Tharoor, several state ministers, MLAs belonging to the UDF and a battery of civil servants and officials from various departments were present at the venue.
At the outset, Mr Chandy said the exercise would go on till evening with a brief lunch break and people could directly come and share their problems to him.
Hundreds of petitions received in advance have already been forwarded to the departments concerned and prompt follow-up action has been guaranteed.
Mr Chandy while inaugurating the programme, said JSP was being held with three aims - speedily resolving grievances of the people, reducing the gap between government and people and to bring in reforms in government rules.
He said problems that could be solved at the earliest should be done at a faster pace. But if the rules are changed, these can be carried out easily, he said.
A total of 45 Government Orders making changes in rules and procedures were issued on the basis of recommendations and complaints received at the last JSP conducted in all districts in 2011, he pointed out.
"This year also if needed changes will be brought at the governance level so as to bring relief to people", he added.
At the programme, one Shahul, bedridden for the last seven years by a rare disease, was brought before the Chief Minister in a stretcher by his relatives and friends.
After making enquiries about his disease, Mr Chandy immediately sanctioned Rs one lakh for his treatment.
In another case, Mr Chandy ordered waiver of the loan and interest amounting to Rs eight lakh for a woman, a native of Thoongampara, who was the first petitioner at today's programme.
Launching the second phase of the programme after a recess of an year, Mr Chandy said the thrust of the campaign was to bridge the gap between the people and government and speedy settlement of grievances through personal contact.
The experience gained from the campaign would be taken into account in government's efforts to update rules and procedures for better governance and improved delivery of services, he said.
The first phase of the programme, which saw Mr Chandy touring all districts around the state receiving petitions from all sections of the people on a host of issues from title deeds to delay in getting welfare pensions, has won the UN Public Service award for its efforts to improve governance.
The LDF, however, dubbed the exercise as a "mere gimmick" to cover up the failures of the government and deflect attention from issues like solar scam haunting Mr Chandy.
Scores of LDF workers staged a sit-in near the programme venue as part of their boycott of Mr Chandy demanding his resignation in view of the alleged role of his office in the solar scam, which saw promoters of a solar solution company cheating a large number of people of huge sums.
The protesters, including MLAs and MPs, were removed by the police.
Union Minister Shashi Tharoor, several state ministers, MLAs belonging to the UDF and a battery of civil servants and officials from various departments were present at the venue.
At the outset, Mr Chandy said the exercise would go on till evening with a brief lunch break and people could directly come and share their problems to him.
Hundreds of petitions received in advance have already been forwarded to the departments concerned and prompt follow-up action has been guaranteed.
Mr Chandy while inaugurating the programme, said JSP was being held with three aims - speedily resolving grievances of the people, reducing the gap between government and people and to bring in reforms in government rules.
He said problems that could be solved at the earliest should be done at a faster pace. But if the rules are changed, these can be carried out easily, he said.
A total of 45 Government Orders making changes in rules and procedures were issued on the basis of recommendations and complaints received at the last JSP conducted in all districts in 2011, he pointed out.
"This year also if needed changes will be brought at the governance level so as to bring relief to people", he added.
At the programme, one Shahul, bedridden for the last seven years by a rare disease, was brought before the Chief Minister in a stretcher by his relatives and friends.
After making enquiries about his disease, Mr Chandy immediately sanctioned Rs one lakh for his treatment.
In another case, Mr Chandy ordered waiver of the loan and interest amounting to Rs eight lakh for a woman, a native of Thoongampara, who was the first petitioner at today's programme.
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