Perhaps, it was the first time in recent times that the fortified iron gate of Raj Nivas was thrown open for the public to meet the Lieutenant Governor without any hassles.
After former police officer Kiran Bedi took over the reigns of Lieutenant Governor, she has galvanised the entire administration of Union Territory by introducing several new initiatives in the last three days.
Her day’s work started at 9.30 a.m with a perusal of files of several departments. Immediately after that, she held an in-house meeting with her Secretary, Joint Secretary and the Director Of Information and Publicity.
Responding to a media report on the problem of telecom services, she called for another meeting with officials to resolve the civic issue that affected the people in the prime areas. A co-ordination team of officials of different departments was constituted to address this problem.
Ms. Bedi told The Hindu , “The administration has introduced toll-free number 1070 for receiving complaints related to any civic issues or disaster. Everyone will work together 24x7. There will be no holiday for administration or governance.”
She met the people, who had taken prior appointment with her, between 4 and 5 p.m. At sharp 5 p.m, she attended the ‘open house’ in her chamber, where she patiently listened to public grievances. The time slot is devoted for the public and anyone can enter the fortified Raj Nivas to air their grievances.
Interestingly, a police constable in the uniform entered and saluted her. He complained that his daughter was denied admission in a private school. Ms. Bedi checked with her secretary whether there was any special school for wards of police personnel. She told, “We will open a special school for police personnel. Their children should be taken care of.”
Next, a senior citizen complained of an anomaly in pension. Directing the officer concerned to redress his grievance, she jotted down notes on a paper and handed it over to him. Ms Bedi said, “You go and meet the Education Secretary. It will be sorted out if your grievance is genuine.”
The Lieutenant Governor also received a couple with their little daughter. She gave a basket of fruits to them. The child’s parents sought her help for admission to a private school. Immediately, Ms Bedi advised them to admit their child to the nearest government school and assured them that she would make the government school better.
A group of college students who came on a study tour entered her chamber and requested her to tender her advice as they have been preparing for Union Public Service Commission examination. She readily obliged and posed for photographs with them. Asked why she did not screen her visitors, Ms. Bedi said, “No, we should not do that. Now we feel the sentiments of people and their expectations.”
