CM Mohan Majhi holds grand public grievance hearing event with ministers

At least 1750 grievances heard, officials asked to solve problems in 7 days, says deputy CM

By Pramod Sahukar

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 6: Odisha chief minister Mohan Majhi and most of his ministers on Monday held a grand public grievance  hearing event which marked the turnout of thousands of people, including differently-abled persons and destitute. This was the third public grievance redressal hearing by Majhi after he became CM of the state on June 12.

The CM’s grievance hearing cell, which was closed since 2008, has now become the one-stop solution to various issues concerning the people in the state.

As soon as the day dawned, an unprecedented rush was witnessed at the grievance cell on the backside of the state secretariat. A stampede-like situation was seen for a very short time. However, the security personnel handled it with all caution.

“As many as 1750 cases were registered today. The CM and other ministers listened to the grievances. Officials were asked to solve the problems within seven days,” informed deputy chief minister Prabhati Parida.

Naveen Patnaik, who ruled the state for a little over 24 years, had stopped hearing public grievances. The BJP had made it a major poll issue. The saffron party had alleged during the election campaign that Naveen had no sympathy for the people of the state. The party had even promised that its chief minister would hold regular public hearings if it came to power.

CM Majhi’s public hearings at regular intervals have apparently endeared him to the people.

“During the BJD rule, we did not have access to the then CM Naveen Patnaik. The officers were not accessible. Now, the CM, his ministers and officials are not only accessible but also they are listening to our grievances,” said Pramod Sahukar, a 50-year-old man who came from Koraput, to air his grievance.