Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday emphasized his government’s commitment to resolving the challenges faced by citizens in accessing government services, particularly the inconvenience of repeated visits to offices and humiliation endured while addressing grievances.
“Governance should be a system where people, especially those from the underprivileged and marginalized sections, experience its benefits in the true sense. Previously, people had to repeatedly visit offices and stand before officials to get their grievances addressed, often enduring humiliation. This was a situation that needed change, and our government has prioritized addressing this issue,” Vijayan said during the inauguration of the Taluk Adalats at Thiruvananthapuram Women’s College.
The Chief Minister underscored that those in power and government officials are representatives meant to serve the public, but this had not always been the reality. “People should not have to struggle or beg before anyone for solutions to their problems. Resolving issues is their right, and ensuring this is the government’s duty,” he said.
Must Read: With TMC, SP Staying Away, Congress Continues to Raise Adani Issue in Unique Style
Highlighting the government’s initiatives, Vijayan mentioned, “We have adopted several new approaches, the most significant being the annual presentation of the government’s progress on its promises to the people. This practice has been well-received by the public. However, such transparent and progressive measures naturally invite criticism from certain quarters that are worried about the positive image it creates for the government and its supporting political front. Unfortunately, some vested interests are focused on spreading negativity and misinformation to instill doubt among people. But we believe the public will judge based on their lived experiences. The results and assessments will come from the people themselves.”
Over the past eight years, the Kerala government has launched various initiatives to streamline administrative processes, including tackling file pendency in government offices. “Significant interventions have been made in the Secretariat and other government offices to ensure smooth processing. However, despite these measures, file backlogs persist in certain areas,” he said.
While most employees adhere to professional norms, Vijayan pointed out, “A few in some offices continue to act as if they have special privileges to deviate from the norms. This is unacceptable to the government or the public. Such deviations necessitate strict action, and the government has already initiated measures to address these issues.”
He reiterated the administration’s goal of creating efficient and accessible governance by strengthening online services. “Our aim is to ensure that governance is efficient and accessible. To this end, the government has strengthened online services, reducing the need for people to visit offices physically. Over 800 services have already been made available online. Systems have been implemented across various levels, including Panchayat and Revenue Departments. Ultimately, the goal is clear: the people should experience the essence of governance in its true form,” Vijayan added.
Also Read: Will Eknath Shinde’s Fight for Influential Deptt in Portfolio Work With BJP?
