In an effort to address pressing issues and enhance governance, and more importantly to foster people’s trust in the system, West Singhbhum District has implemented significant initiatives under the leadership of 2015 batch IAS officer Ananya Mittal, who is the Deputy Commissioner of this district in Jharkhand.
Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Mittal shared about the steps that he has initiated in order to improve governance.
BHUMI VIVAAD SAMADHAN DIWAS
The Bhumi Vivaad Samadhan Diwas aims to tackle long-standing land issues and disputes prevalent in the district. Every Wednesday, the Circle Officer (CO) and the Thaana Prabhari convene in the office from 11 am to 1 pm to mediate and resolve the land disputes brought forth by individuals. This alternative dispute resolution mechanism has proven highly effective, as it eliminates the need for court intervention and expedites the resolution process.
“As a result, the number of land revenue cases reaching the court has significantly reduced,” Mr. Mittal said.
CHAWAL DIWAS
To address the timely delivery of essential food supplies to the residents of West Singhbhum, Mr. Mittal launched Chawal Diwas or Ration Day. Further, to counter complaints of delayed deliveries and shop closures, the district administration implemented a comprehensive solution. “All ration shops in the district are now required to remain open throughout the day, even on public holidays or special events,” the officer mentioned.
Additionally, on the 15th and 25th of each month, designated magistrates are deployed to oversee the distribution process. This ensures that individuals who feel they are receiving insufficient rations can obtain the correct amount in the presence of a magistrate, thereby fostering trust in the system. Any shops failing to open on these designated dates face suspension. These measures have resulted in substantial improvements, with West Singhbhum District climbing from the last position to consistently rank among the top five districts in ration distribution.
The officer said, “For continuous six months, we were on the first position and now we maintain our position in first five.”
PUBLIC HELP CELL
Recognizing the inconvenience faced by residents who had to travel long distances to reach the collectorate for their complaints, the district administration established a public help cell. This online platform enables individuals to register their grievances via WhatsApp number 9279452376, ad hoc Public Help Cell contact number 06582-256301 or through E-mail [email protected].
Once a complaint is lodged, it is promptly forwarded to the respective officer responsible for addressing the issue. Officers have individual login credentials to access the platform, review and resolve complaints, and report back to the Deputy Commissioner. A follow-up system ensures that complainants are contacted to confirm if their problems have been adequately resolved. “This interactive approach has successfully addressed approximately 5,000 complaints, primarily focusing on concerns related to pensions, pre-matric scholarships, and basic public services,” Mr. Mittal said.
The innovative initiatives undertaken by the West Singhbhum District administration have significantly improved governance, resolved land disputes, streamlined ration distribution, and provided an accessible platform for addressing public grievances. These proactive measures demonstrate the administration’s commitment to serving the people and fostering trust in the system.
