In a significant move to improve governance and public service delivery, the District Magistrate of Patna, Thiyagarajan S M, has issued a strict directive to all administrative officials. The order mandates their physical presence in offices on specific days every week to directly address citizen concerns.
Weekly Schedule for Public Interface
Starting from January 19, officials across all civic bodies, technical departments, and administrative branches must be present in their offices every Monday and Friday. This schedule is specifically designed to ensure uninterrupted public access to essential government services and grievance redressal mechanisms.
The directive encompasses a wide range of key officials, including the Deputy Development Commissioner, the Civil Surgeon, and the heads of major departments such as Education, Agriculture, and Transport. The DM's order leaves little room for absence, stating that if an official is unavailable due to unavoidable circumstances, an authorised representative must be present in their stead.
Ensuring Accountability and Accessibility
For officers holding multiple charges, the directive requires them to create a specific timetable. They must allocate dedicated time slots for visits to each office under their jurisdiction on the designated days, ensuring no department is neglected.
Furthermore, the order goes beyond just officer presence. It mandates that all government offices must provide basic amenities for visitors, including adequate seating arrangements, clean drinking water, and accessible toilet facilities. To systematise the process, officials are now required to maintain a formal complaint register and implement a robust tracking system to monitor the resolution status of each grievance.
Monitoring and Alignment with State Vision
Accountability is built into the plan through a monitoring hierarchy. Controlling officers and nodal officers stationed at the sub-division and block levels have been tasked with overseeing subordinate compliance. They will also regularly review the status of complaint disposal to ensure timely action.
These comprehensive measures are not isolated but form a core part of the Bihar state government's broader "Ease of Living" initiative. This initiative falls under the Saat Nishchay-3 programme, which aims to reduce public inconvenience in administrative processes and bring governance closer to the people.
Emphasising the rationale behind the move, District Magistrate Thiyagarajan S M stated, "The administrative system is required to maintain transparency and accountability through these scheduled interactions." The directive is expected to bridge the gap between the public and the administration, fostering a more responsive and citizen-friendly governance model in the Patna district.
