The Hindu : Front Page : Vidhana Soudha turns into a people’s secretariat

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Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007
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Vidhana Soudha turns into a people’s secretariat

Nagesh Prabhu and T.S. Ranganna

Rameshwar Thakur holds ‘Janata Darshan’

—Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Learning their problems: Governor Rameshwar Thakur listening to people’s grievances during the ‘Janata Darshan’ at the Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore on Monday.

Bangalore: The Vidhana Soudha on Monday was turned into “people’s secretariat” with Governor Rameshwar Thakur holding a “Janata Darshan” that lasted for more than two hours. The octogenarian Governor, moved by the plight of the hundreds of people including the old and infirm queuing outside his chamber, came out of his chamber and sat in front of the Cabinet Hall to address their grievances.

Mr. Thakur has decided to open the majestic Banquet Hall of the Vidhana Soudha, which has thus far been restricted to holding important government functions and felicitating dignitaries, to the public from Monday next. He will hold Janata Darshans on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 12.30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Mr. Thakur received petitions from more than 500 people. By noon hundreds of people had gathered at the majestic building, the queue snaking along the corridors of the third floor of the Secretariat to his chamber. Petitioners young and old from far flung areas of the State visited the Secretariat perhaps for the first time and met the Governor.

A majority of the people’s grievances related to jobs, requirement for housing sites, pensions, medical allowances, and awards.

Mr. Thakur, who is in-charge of the State after imposition of President’s Rule, said all steps would be taken to ensure justice to all people who came to meet him. The officials of departments concerned would be asked to take appropriate action to solve the problems of the people, he said.

Venkatesh, a physically challenged person who holds a BA degree, submitted a petition to Mr. Thakur seeking a telephone operator’s job. Mr. Venkatesh who is from Mulbagal in Kolar district, said that he had gone to the Chief Minister’s Janata Darshan to ask for a job. But as the Government had collapsed, he had come here. Rekha, who was working on contract at the Chief Minister’s office till the imposition of President’s Rule, was there to request the Governor to allow her to continue in the job.

Gurutheppa Betageri from Sedam in Gulbarga district wanted a house. Seeking justice from the Governor was the widow of Constable Madaiah, who was killed allegedly by a mentally unstable woman last week. Constable Madaiah was attached to Sampanginagara Police Station, Bangalore.

Mr. Thakur said that though he was not able to solve all the problems brought to his notice by the people it was his duty to listen to them and direct senior officials to do justice to them.

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