In a move aimed at strengthening direct engagement with citizens, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday launched a new public outreach initiative titled ‘Janatar Darbar’ (People’s Court) at the BJP party office in Salt Lake.
The programme, which began around 10:00 am, witnessed the presence of senior BJP leader Locket Chatterjee alongside the Chief Minister. Large numbers of people gathered outside the venue to present their grievances and seek redressal.
Shortly after the session commenced, the Chief Minister requested members of the media to leave the room, stating that citizens might feel uncomfortable discussing personal issues in front of cameras. The decision was aimed at ensuring a more open and secure environment for individuals to voice their concerns.
Kolkata : West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari holds janata darbar at BJP office. pic.twitter.com/TPLuAQoehP
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The initiative had been announced by Nabanna — the state secretariat — only a few days earlier. Although initial reports suggested a June rollout, the program was advanced and formally inaugurated on May 18. According to officials, the Chief Minister will hold these sessions once or twice a week, accompanied by senior administrative officials to facilitate immediate action on complaints.
The Janatar Darbar seeks to bypass bureaucratic hurdles that often prevent grievances from reaching top officials. There have been longstanding concerns that complaints submitted through formal channels, such as letters to the Chief Minister’s Office, do not always reach the appropriate authorities. This initiative is intended to create a direct communication channel between the people and the state leadership.
Under the new system, complaints will be assessed on the spot, and necessary instructions will be issued immediately to concerned departments. The move has been welcomed by many citizens, who see it as an opportunity for quicker and more transparent grievance redressal.
However, similar models already exist in other parts of the country. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has long conducted public grievance sessions in cities like Gorakhpur and Lucknow. Comparable initiatives are also operational in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, where the state government runs a program called ‘Janshunani’ to directly hear citizens’ concerns.
With Janatar Darbar, the West Bengal government now joins a broader trend of leadership-driven public grievance mechanisms, aiming to make governance more accessible and responsive.
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