Patna, April 13: Petitioners at the human resource development (HRD) department janata darbar played a guessing game till late in the afternoon today.

Several petitioners had arrived for the darbar at the HRD department office, scheduled for today, with grievances related to pension claims, reimbursement of bills, promotions and others.

However, confusion prevailed among the complainants on whether the janata darbar would be held today at all.

However, the complainants’ wait proved to be futile. At 3.30pm, the department officials finally decided to hold the only darbar for the month on April 20.

Vinay Singh, a resident of Nawada district, said: “I had come to the darbar with a plea for my father’s pension. My father retired as a government school teacher in 2008. But now, I have to come another day as the darbar has been postponed.”

Vinay was not the only one with such a predicament. Many petitioners had to return empty-handed once the darbar didn’t start.

The petitioners said the department officials could have issued a notice so that they did not have to face problems.

Department officials said today’s darbar was postponed because of a departmental meeting and as the chief minister’s janata darbar on Monday also heard pleas related to the department.

Officials said the department has also decided to hold three, instead of four, janata darbars a month, till further notice, from the first week of May. The darbars will be held on the first, second and third Wednesday of a month.

The department has decided to divide the weeks of a month for particular regions. Problems from only a particular region will be entertained at these darbars.

Director of administration (HRD) B.D. Ram said: “The department will issue a notice in this connection, giving details about the date of janata darbars so that the people do not face any problem.”