Shital Chakraborty
From now on, anyone wishing filing a complaint at the District Magistrate's (DM) office will have to bring a photocopy of their Aadhaar card. Additionally, it is mandatory for complainants to sign in the office register and provide their mobile number.
Why this sudden decision?
It is learned that various complaints ranging from corruption in road works to illegal construction, from setting up drug dens in localities to blocking drainage systems, are submitted to the DM's office. Information reveals that in one year, 350-400 such complaints have been filed at the district magistrate's office from different parts of Dakshin Dinajpur.
Later, when administrative officials investigated, they found that several of these complaints had no substance. In many cases, false complaints were being filed to settle personal grudges. To avoid such "fake" complaints and bring "transparency", the district magistrate's office has taken this decision. However, opponents claim that this decision will make it easier to "cover up" corruption incidents. Their concern is that complainants will no longer dare to file any complaints for fear of being identified.
Recently, a person came to the district magistrate's office and complained that gambling activities were taking place in his area. The person identified himself as a resident of Kamarpadar in Balurghat. Later, when administrative officials investigated, they found no truth in the complaint. The administration claims that several such "fake" complaints have come in the past year. Following this, in October this year, District Magistrate Bijin Krishna issued instructions that complainants must mandatorily submit photocopies of their Aadhaar cards for the convenience of verifying the authenticity of complaints.
He said, "Such an initiative has been taken to bring transparency to administrative work. There should be no inconvenience to anyone." The ruling party of the state has stood by the district magistrate's decision. Trinamool's district media convener Jayantkumar Das said, "If transparency is to be brought, everyone should follow this rule. This initiative is to prevent false complaints."
A few months ago, a tender process for road work was completed in Harirampur in the district. But allegations arose that the contractor did not carry out the road work despite taking all the money from the district panchayat fund. This complaint was submitted to the district magistrate's office. Following this, the contractor was blacklisted. The complainant was "anonymous" (those who complain while keeping their identity secret). Citing such precedents, the opposition has interpreted the new rule as a "tactic to silence voices."
According to BJP district president Swarup Choudhury, "Filing written complaints about corruption will expose one's identity, which is completely inappropriate in a democratic system." District Congress leader Nanda Das said, "As a result, secret complaints against corruption will no longer come." According to CPM district secretary Nandlal Hazra, "This is a new method of intimidating people. This will silence ordinary people."
