What is ‘Janatar Darbar’? Citizens queue up as BJP rolls out grievance desk at Salt Lake office

According to a press release issued by the West Bengal BJP, a new public grievance program called “Janatar Darbar” was formally launched at the party’s state headquarters in Salt Lake on Monday.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari inaugurated the initiative, with BJP general secretary Locket Chatterjee and Shashi Agnihotri also present at the event.

The program has been introduced to give ordinary citizens a direct platform to raise their concerns before the chief minister, without relying on phone calls or intermediaries.

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The queue formed with admirable haste

The party said the response was immediate, with a “large gathering” of citizens turning up at the BJP office in Salt Lake from the very beginning of the program.

People from different areas reportedly came forward to submit complaints and explain a range of problems.

The press release did not give a total attendance figure, nor did it specify how many grievances were received on the first day.

Red tape is asked to keep a punctual diary

The BJP said senior administrative officials will also be present during the Janatar Darbar sessions along with Adhikari.

The complaints and demands raised by the public will be heard on the spot, and necessary steps will be taken for “prompt resolution” of issues linked to daily civic life.

The party said the program will be held once or twice a week at a fixed time, though no schedule was shared in the statement.

Roads, water and pensions: Bring your list

The issues that citizens can raise include roads, drinking water, healthcare services, old-age pensions, local administrative corruption, and other civic concerns.

The chief minister will issue directions immediately to the concerned administrative officials, depending on the seriousness of the matter.

The party described the initiative as an effort to make the administration “more people-oriented and dynamic” and said it was designed to address complaints that many citizens had long struggled to get heard at the highest levels of government.

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A bid to make the system sit up straight

The program is being framed as a way to reduce administrative hurdles and speed up redress of public grievances through direct communication.

The press release stated that the new arrangement aims to expedite the resolution of everyday problems and ensure that decision-makers address them more efficiently.

The statement was issued by the media department of the West Bengal BJP.