Patna: The Bihar government will organise ‘Sahyog Shivir’ camps in areas under Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to provide time-bound redressal of public grievances in urban areas, officials said on May 26.
The move comes days after the launch of Sahyog Shivir in panchayats across the state on May 19. The camps in rural areas are currently being organised on the first and third Tuesday of every month.
According to officials, the urban camps will also be held twice a month on the first and third Tuesday.
Initiative Under Saat Nischay-3
The initiative has been launched for the first time on the directions of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary as part of the state government’s ‘Ease of Living’ agenda under the Saat Nischay-3 programme.
In a letter issued to divisional commissioners, district magistrates, senior superintendents of police and superintendents of police, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit directed officials to make necessary arrangements for organising the camps and ensuring timely disposal of grievances.
The government has also decided to receive applications for the camps up to 30 days in advance.
Camps to Be Held in Municipal Wards
As per the directive, Sahyog Shivir camps will be organised by the concerned Urban Local Bodies in wards falling under their jurisdiction.
The initiative will cover all three categories of Urban Local Bodies — municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats.
District Magistrates and Municipal Commissioners or Executive Officers have been asked to finalise dates and venues for the camps within three days based on administrative requirements. Officials have also been directed to ensure wide publicity for the initiative to encourage public participation.
Facilities and Administrative Arrangements
The camps will be held in government buildings located within the wards. If no such building is available, temporary structures will be arranged considering the summer season.
According to the guidelines, the camps must include facilities such as fans, drinking water and proper seating arrangements.
Besides designated officers, the camps may also be chaired by Municipal Commissioners, Executive Officers, senior supervisory officers of blocks, and Assistant Public Sanitation and Waste Management Officers.
Grievances to Be Managed Through Portal
The government said all grievances received during the camps will be uploaded to the Sahyog Portal and processed through the digital platform within a prescribed timeline.
The portal will manage the entire process, including receipt of applications, forwarding of grievances, disposal and issuance of show-cause notices.
The State Informatics Officer has been directed to ensure necessary technical provisions in the portal for the smooth functioning of Sahyog Shivir in urban areas.
Public Representatives to Be Invited
The government has also instructed officials to invite MPs, MLAs, mayors, deputy mayors, chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, ward councillors and members of Programme Implementation Committees to the camps.
Officials said all existing guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures issued for Sahyog Shivir in rural areas would also apply to camps organised in Urban Local Body areas.
