Nagpur Mayor Enforces Office Hours to Tackle Citizen Complaints
In a decisive move to address persistent public grievances, Nagpur Mayor Neeta Thakre has issued a strict directive requiring all civic officials to remain physically present in their respective offices after 2pm. This announcement aims to curb the long-standing issue of missing officers that has plagued the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) for years, particularly during the period from March 2022 to January 2026 under previous administrative rules.
Ending the Era of Unavailable Officials
For years, residents visiting the NMC headquarters or its zonal offices to report problems such as erratic water supply, choked sewer lines, or delayed civic works often encountered the frustrating response: "Saheb is on a site visit or is in a meeting." This common refrain left many citizens without recourse, exacerbating dissatisfaction with municipal services. Now, with the backing of ruling party leader Narendra Borkar, the mayor's initiative seeks to transform this narrative by ensuring officials are available for public interaction in the afternoons.
Administrative Reorganization for Better Service
Acting on Mayor Thakre's directives, the General Administration Department (GAD) issued a circular on February 10, formalizing the new policy. The order effectively reorganizes the civic workday into two distinct phases:
- Mornings: Dedicated to field visits, inspections, and on-site reviews to address operational issues directly.
- Afternoons: Reserved for office presence, where officials must be available to handle complaints, conduct internal reviews, and engage with the public.
The circular emphasizes better planning and coordination to prevent administrative duties from clashing with citizen accessibility, ensuring a more streamlined and responsive municipal system.
Political Commitment Turned into Policy
This policy did not emerge in isolation. At Mayor Thakre's oath-taking ceremony earlier this month, Borkar hinted at a formal attendance rule in the works, signaling political support for the initiative. The February 10 directive has now transformed this promise into actionable administrative policy, demonstrating a top-down commitment to improving governance.
Focus on Citizen-Centric Governance
Assistant Commissioner (GAD) Shyam Kapase described the move as "citizen-centric," aimed at ensuring that residents no longer leave civic offices without meeting the concerned authorities. By mandating afternoon office hours, the NMC hopes to foster a culture of accountability and responsiveness, directly addressing the core issue of public accessibility.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Whether this directive marks a genuine cultural shift within the NMC or merely adds another rule to the books will hinge on effective enforcement. For now, the tone from leadership is clear: after 2pm, there should be no more disappearing acts. Officers are expected to be at their desks and answerable to the citizens they serve, potentially setting a precedent for other municipalities facing similar challenges.
