LG’s Grievance cell, ‘Mulaqaat’ listed among initiatives to reach out to people: MHA

Several steps taken to empower local bodies, panchayats

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government has started Governor’s Grievance cell to provide opportunity to people to directly interact with the government by reporting their grievances.The annual report 2020-21 of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), listed it as one of the e-governance initiatives to swiftly reach out to the people.

“At the district level all Deputy Commissioners have institutionalized the grievance redressal mechanism for providing instant succor to the public, it said.

According to the report, the public has expressed continuous faith in grievance redressal mechanism.Two toll free grievance Call Centres in Srinagar and Jammu have been established, it added.The report also listed LG’s ‘MULAQAAT’ via video conferencing for improving the quality of disposal of grievances and bringing vibrancy in the overall grievance resolution process.

It also highlighted the devolution of functions, functionaries, and funds to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) under 74th Constitutional Amendment Act. The proposal contains, among others details of posts, institutions, funds and functions to be transferred along with proposed timelines for transfer. Under this programme Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils/Committees were authorized to go ahead for execution of different works0 5.00 crore, 1.00 crore and 20.50 crore respectively which aggregates to 257.50 crore.

The report said that ‘Back to Village’ (B2V3) aimed at energising government functioning on ground saw execution of 6,000 new works. Also, 4.440 sports kits were distributed among the youth and 2,430 Grih Pravesh ceremonies were organized and 3,959 dustbins distributed in Panchayats under the programme.”About 15,200 employment cases have been sanctioned during the initiative. Youth entrepreneurs were accommodated under various schemes tailor-made with their activities. An amount of 242 crore has already been sanctioned for the youth entrepreneurs,” it added.

The report said that a 21-day Jan Abhiyan that led to the build up to the actual Back to Village programme aimed at implementation of its three essential components viz. “Adhikar Abhiyan/ Muhim Barai-e-Haqooq, Unnat Gram Abhiyan/ Dehi Taraqiyati Muhim and the Jan Sunwai Abhiyan Awami Sunwai Muhim”. It was followed by Block Diwas on every Wednesday being held across the UT. During the entire Jan Abhiyan and the Block Diwas, more than 5 lakh certificates were issued (Domicile, category, Death/Birth, disability). More than 70,000 ration cards have been Aadhaar Seeded. About 50,000 families have been covered under Health Insurance schemes,” it said.

“The Urban Development department has commenced the said programme to reach out to the people at the grassroot level in ULBS of J&K on the same analogy as B2V (Back to village) was initiated by the Rural Development Department. Nearly 6 lakh persons in all the ULBs of UT participated in the programme. More than 250 beneficiaries under PMAY (U) who have completed their dwelling units have been handed over the keys on account of Griha Pravesh. In addition to this 250 Self Help Groups (SIGs) were formed during this Programme,” the report said.

Xxxx