Navi Mumbai: The Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium, Vashi, on Sunday was brimming with citizens from Navi Mumbai eager to be part of the Janta Darbar called upon by Palghar Guardian and Forest Minister Ganesh Naik. Over 1300 odd residents were present at the gathering and the event went on till 7 pm in the evening.
The event held on Monday, has been a flagship initiative of the minister, was held after nearly 11 years, with the last similar gathering conducted in 2014, when Naik was the Thane Guardian Minister.
Citizens were informed about the event a few days in advance and were instructed to submit their complaints in writing, along with three photocopies to be shared with the relevant department.
At the darbar departments including Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), The mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Corporation Limited (MSEDCL), Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Forest, Police, and Tahsildar offices, were represented, with at least four officials from each department.
“This was the first darbar conducted after I took charge as the minister and from here on, I will conduct the similar gatherings at other cities like Vasai, Vada, Vikramgadh, the entire Palghar district, as well as Thane, Kalyan, and Ulhasnagar. Wherever citizens are keen on sharing their problems with me, I will be present for them. Navi Mumbai being my own city, I intend to take up such darbars every 15 days,” said the Minister.
Over 400 tokens were distributed at the event, allowing attendees to present their concerns. According to former Nerul corporator Ravindra Ithape, the Janta Darbar has long been seen as a platform for quick redressal of grievances, as “since the officials concerned are present at the spot, residents describing their issues, be it personal or civic-related, are assured that they will be addressed. At the darbar, the public is open to voice any of their concerns. There were some who were facing health issues, some with problems related to NMMC, etc. All of these were heard by the Minister as well as by the officials concerned.”
The gathering commenced at 10 AM and continued throughout the evening. “Even after the formally raised complaints were heard, residents continued voicing their concerns on the spot as well. The complaints given in writing will be handed over to the concerned authorities to be responded to with appropriate feedback in a month’s time,” said an official from the minister’s office.
Minister Ganesh Naik, along with authorities, personally listened to the grievances of citizens. “I was informed about the issues faced with electricity, the threats issued to locals by anti-social elements, the need for regularizing houses expanded out of necessity, and the redevelopment of age-old buildings. All of the complaints received will be studied in detail. Most of the problems raised are man-made, and a few are environmental, and I am positive that all of these can be redressed,” he added.
