“Hello, DC Palamu speaking.” The opening words of a phone call from Deputy Commissioner Dilip Pratap Singh Shekhawat left Akhilesh Prajapati, a resident of Lesliganj, surprised. What initially might have sounded like a prank turned into a reassuring conversation, bringing relief to a man waiting for financial assistance for his heart ailment.
In a short audio clip released by the district public information office on Tuesday, the DC is heard confirming Prajapati's identity and referring to his application submitted during a public hearing in July 2026. He informed him that Rs 25,000 had been sanctioned by the Welfare Department and assured him that he would receive the amount.
According to administrative sources, Shekhawat was reviewing files related to follow-up action on applications received during public hearings when he decided to call Prajapati personally. The unexpected gesture reportedly surprised officials as well.
The incident has revived memories of earlier Palamu deputy commissioners known for their direct communication with ordinary people. Around four decades ago, a DC reportedly sent postcards to villagers, asking them to write back about problems in their villages. In the early 1990s, during a severe drought, another DC used to telephone remote areas to find out whether families were going hungry and encouraged affluent residents to adopt an 'each one, feed one' approach.
At a time when ordinary citizens often struggle to get responses from government offices, Shekhawat's personal intervention has drawn attention. For Prajapati, the call was more than an administrative update; it was a promise of financial support at a difficult time.