Patna: Bihar chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Friday revived the “Janata Darbar” — a public grievance redressal initiative closely associated with former chief minister Nitish Kumar — signalling continuity in governance despite a change in political leadership.
The programme, titled “Janata Ke Darbar Mein Mukhyamantri”, is being held at his residence- 5 Deshratna Marg in Patna, where Choudhary is personally hearing complaints and petitions from citizens across the state.
People from multiple districts have travelled to the capital to present their grievances, with the hearings currently being conducted in an offline format. Officials said efforts would be made to ensure swift resolution of issues raised during the sessions.
Return Of A Familiar Governance Model
The Janata Darbar was first introduced by Nitish Kumar in 2006 as a direct interface between the chief minister and the public. The initiative continued for several years before gradually fading after 2016.
Its revival under Choudhary comes amid assertions that the administrative approach of the previous regime — often referred to as the “Nitish model” — will continue despite the Bharatiya Janata Party assuming leadership in the state.
Preparations And Review
In the lead-up to the relaunch, Choudhary held review meetings with senior officials to discuss the structure and scope of the programme. He also visited the Secretariat to inspect the venue where the Janata Darbar was earlier conducted and reviewed logistical arrangements for its revival.
Officials said the government is focused on strengthening administrative delivery and improving accessibility for citizens.
Public Response And Expectations
A statement from the chief minister’s office said the initiative aims to ensure that citizens no longer have to navigate multiple layers of bureaucracy to have their grievances addressed, instead providing a direct channel to the state’s highest executive office.
Early response from attendees has been positive, with several participants expressing satisfaction at being able to present their concerns directly to the chief minister.
The revival of the Janata Darbar is being seen as a key step in reinforcing accountability within the administration while maintaining continuity in Bihar’s governance framework.
