DC’S TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETINGS WITH VILLAGERS TO RESOLVE ISSUES AND TO SUPPORT THE “YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH” CAMPAIGN
Chandigarh, March 28, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau): The Punjab Government today issued fresh directives to all Deputy Commissioners to intensify rural outreach under its flagship “AAP Di Sarkar, AAP De Dwar” programme. The orders mandate DCs to spend four days every week visiting villages with the aim of covering all rural areas within their jurisdictions within three months.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced the decision during a press conference here at Punjab Bhawan, stating that the move comes as part of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision for responsive governance. Under the new guidelines, DCs would conduct field visits every Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, covering three to four villages each day to ensure complete rural coverage within 60-90 days.
The Finance Minister explained that during these visits, Deputy Commissioners would hold public meetings to address local grievances on the spot while simultaneously evaluating the performance of village-level functionaries including teachers and healthcare workers. The officials have also been tasked with promoting the state’s anti-drug campaign “Yudh Nashian Virudh”, encouraging cleanliness drives, and facilitating youth participation in sports activities.
To ensure systematic implementation, the government has directed DCs to schedule their visits in advance with proper intimation to villages. The programme emphasises inter-departmental coordination for swift resolution of issues and aims to deliver government services at people’s doorsteps.
Cheema stressed that DCs must submit detailed reports of each visit to both the Department of Removal of Public Grievances and the Chief Secretary’s office. These reports should document all complaints received, actions taken, and any further remedial measures suggested.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to making governance more accessible and accountable,” the Finance Minister said, adding that the CM Mann-led government believes such direct public engagement will strengthen rural development and build greater public trust in the administration.
