In 2003, Gujarat launched a project named SWAGAT to provide a platform for people to file their grievances directly to the government. However, in many places, people found it difficult to do so in the offline method. One such place is the tribals-dominated district, Chhotaudepur, where people had to travel through difficult terrain to the district headquarters to file their complaints. Noting this, District Collector Stuti Charan has now made the process completely electronic. Speaking to Indian Masterminds, the IAS officer said that people can now file their grievances from their homes also.
CONVERTING INTO ELECTRONIC MODE
Chhotaudepur, which was carved out of Vadodara in 2013, borders Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The district has a hilly terrain and a big forest area. Hence, applicants need to travel through difficult terrain to reach the district headquarters to submit their complaints. DM Stuti Charan informed that they get a lot of grievances on land issues and law and order problems, and the applicants had to follow a lengthy procedure. But, for the first time in the state, the entire process is being converted into electronic mode to make it easier for the people.
She explained: “We created separate email ids for all the gram panchayats. From now, all the complaints will be submitted through this email ID and all the required documents will be uploaded on the same email. The applicants were called on-site to discuss the same. All the concerned officers were also present during the video conference”.
BENEFITS OF NEW INITIATIVE
The launch of this initiative by the district administration was a relief for the applicants as they can now avoid the long offline procedure. Earlier they had to wait for replies for days on end. Now they can receive it on the day of filing the complaint itself. The officers at the Taluka level and gram panchayats have found this initiative convenient also, as they get immediate updates on email now.
Ms. Charan said that “it saves time of not only the people but also the concerned officers in the district.”
The district administration’s initiative of making the whole process of the SWAGAT project paperless and completely automated has made it easier for the people of the area to file their grievances and get redressals fast and without much hassle.
