In a decisive move aimed at bolstering governance transparency and efficiency, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday initiated the rollout of Chief Minister’s Windows (CM Windows) across all districts of the State. This pioneering initiative sought to revolutionize public service delivery by establishing direct channels between citizens and the government, ensuring swift resolution of grievances and enhancing administrative accountability.
Chief Minister, addressing Deputy Commissioners (DCs) during a pivotal meeting on Monday, underscored the imperative of providing seamless and responsive governance to the people of Punjab. “Our Government is committed to eradicate bureaucratic red tape and ensuring that every citizen receives efficient and transparent services,” Mann declared, emphasizing the role of ‘CM Window’ in achieving these goals.
The CM Window will function as dedicated centers where citizens can lodge complaints and seek resolution for various administrative matters. Complaints addressed at the district level will be promptly resolved, while those requiring state-level intervention will be expedited through the CM Dashboard, a centralized monitoring system that tracks the progress of each case.
“The introduction of CM Windows is not just about setting up physical centers but about fostering a culture of accountability and responsiveness within our administration,” Mann stated. He further elaborated that these windows will be equipped with modern technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to monitor the efficiency of public service delivery and detect any potential irregularities.
“A cluster of villages will be formed so that the pending works of these villages are done at government offices on stipulated date thereby ensuring that people do not have to run pillar to post for these works,” he said.
Central to Mann’s vision is the empowerment of DCs and SSPs as frontline custodians of public trust. He issued a stern warning that any instances of corruption or negligence within their jurisdictions would be met with severe consequences. “DCs and SSPs will be held directly responsible for ensuring integrity in their respective domains. This includes maintaining strict vigilance over administrative processes and promptly addressing any misconduct,” Mann affirmed.
The CM also outlined plans to decentralize administrative functions through regular village-level camps, where government services such as pension distribution, Aadhaar registration, and land registry will be provided directly to rural populations. These camps aimed to alleviate the inconvenience faced by villagers in accessing essential services, thereby enhancing the government’s outreach and responsiveness.
Furthermore, Mann highlighted the government’s unwavering commitment to fair recruitment practices and combating corruption in job allocations. The establishment of an Anti-Corruption Cell underpins these efforts, aimed at safeguarding job aspirants from fraudulent schemes. Recently, the cell successfully apprehended individuals involved in duping job seekers of substantial sums, underscoring the administration’s proactive stance against malpractice.
“Special counters in the form of reception and enquiry centres will be set up in the offices at the district administration, so that people could know the place from where there work can be done easily,” said Mann, adding that this will save the time and energy of the people, besides ensuring that their work is done in a time bound manner.
In addition to administrative reforms, the Chief Minister emphasized the state’s proactive measures in water management, particularly crucial during the paddy cultivation season. “Preserving groundwater resources is a priority for our government. We are implementing measures to optimize the use of canal water for irrigation, thereby reducing dependency on groundwater,” Mann affirmed, highlighting the significance of sustainable agricultural practices.
Looking ahead, Mann announced comprehensive inspections of flood preparedness measures across flood-prone areas, particularly along the Ghaggar river, in anticipation of the monsoon season. These inspections aimed to fortify the state’s infrastructure and emergency response capabilities to mitigate potential risks and safeguard vulnerable communities.
“I will be undertaking extensive tour to assess the flood preparations at grassroot level ahead of the rainy season ahead. On Tuesday, my tour will be in and around the flood prone areas of Ghaggar river, so that a random check can be made to assess the preparations at ground level. More such visits will be made in the coming days to ensure that people do not face any sort of, problem in the ensuing monsoon season,” he added.
Making it clear that State Government has no dearth of power for any sector in the State, Mann said that Punjab is a power surplus state and no power cut is being imposed in any sector despite of the ongoing peak season.
