After 100 days in office, CM launches Janata Darshan

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday officially began Janata Darshan at his home office Krishna to mark his government’s completion of 100 days in office.

Kumaraswamy, who started by hearing grievances at his private residence in J P Nagar from May 29, constituted a team of four officials within a week’s time to receive the complaints on behalf of him.

Also, there was criticism that his Janata Darshans were turning out to be a waiting ordeal with the aggrieved people waiting for hours together sometimes,

Kumaraswamy ordered deputy commissioners to hold public redressal meetings once a week in their respective districts. He subsequently announced that he will hold Janata Darshans once a week (on Saturdays) at his home office Krishna.

Kumaraswamy had popularised two programmes- Janata Darshan and Grama Vastavya (Village stay) - during his first stint as chief minister 12 years ago. He has, however, put an end to the village stay programme for health reasons following the advice of his doctors.

Kumaraswamy arrived two hours late for the Janata Darshan on Saturday. With the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) receiving around 1,056 applications, Kumaraswamy was seen hearing the aggrieved till late evening.

Among those who aired their grievances to the chief minister, around 300 of them were differently abled persons.

On the increasing stray dog menace in Bengaluru, the chief minister said the government is in a dilemma as animal welfare organisations question its every move. A few days ago, an 11-year old boy was severely mauled by a pack of stray dogs in BBMP limits.

Kumaraswamy handed over a cheque for Rs 2 lakh to a woman, R Nagamani, from Sira, who is burdened by financial difficulties.

He also directed the Mandya deputy commissioner to conduct an enquiry into a case, when a complainant approached him seeking his permission for granting euthanasia. Krishna, a farmer, complained that his four-acre land had been forcibly “snatched” by a wine store owner.

“From today onwards, Janata Darshan will be held only on Saturdays when I am in Bengaluru. On other days, other development works will be the priority,” the chief minister said.

He also said that he will visit one district headquarters every month. Apart from holding meetings with officers, he said he will listen to public grievances and spare time with the farmers to create awareness on modern agricultural practices.

The CMO had made seating and food arrangements during the Janata Darshan. Separate arrangements were made for disabled people while the token system was introduced to avoid the rush.