Ranchi, May 1: Raghubar Das, celebrating his first May Day as Jharkhand chief minister, decided to build bridges with people by launching Jan Samvad Kendra, an interface platform at Suchana Bhavan.
The tollfree number 181, with 30 telecallers deputed to note down complaints from across the state between 9am and 5pm and pass them on to relevant state officials, has a feature that sets it apart from other redress helplines.
"I want the solution to arrive or work to at least start within a week," chief minister Das said. "If you see no difference in one week, call up the number again."
Das made a special call himself. "Hello, main mukhyamantri Raghubar Das bol raha hoon, aapko koi dikkat ya pareshani hai (Hello, this is chief minister Raghubar Das speaking. Do you have any problem or worry)?" he asked a Gumla resident from the newly launched Jan Samvad Kendra.
On the other side of the phone was the widow of Bangladesh war hero Albert Ekka. Balamdina Ekka answered: Ghar ka marramat karana hai (My house needs repairs).
Immediately, the chief minister asked officials to look into Balamdina's grievances.
"I request the masses to call up on 181 for problems in any field like education, health, drinking water, agriculture and irrigation. Ending corruption is also our priority, so if any government servant asks for bribe, please inform tollfree 181 at the earliest and try to get evidence by recording the event," Das said at Suchana Bhavan.
People from Ranchi, Gumla, Latehar, Palamau, East Singhbhum, among others, came for the launch, informing the chief minister of their problems that ranged from an unsolved murder in Namkum to poor irrigation in droughtprone Palamau.
Kanke mukhiya Monika Devi said roads were bad in her area. Saroj Devi, a resident of Namkum, on Ranchi outskirts, sobbed why the murderers of her son Vicky were still roaming free.
Bindeshwar Prasad Sahu from Latehar's Herhenj block, a Naxalite area, complained about defunct tube wells and a transformer that burnt months ago. "Villagers are deprived of drinking water and power in Jharkhand hinterland in this socalled 21st century," he said.
Listening intently, the chief minister made a candid admission. "My government needs at least one or two years to perform. Our intentions are clear, good governance and end of corruption," Das said.
The chief minister promised to hold seedhi baat or straight talk - a direct interface with citizens at Suchana Bhavan - "at least once a month".