Boudh, Odisha: A joint public grievance hearing and redressal camp was organised at the Kantamal Block Conference Hall, bringing district and block-level administration together to address citizens’ concerns and improve access to government services.

The programme was chaired by Boudh District Collector Bibhuti Bhushan Nayak and Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Meena. The event also featured the ‘Seva Setu’ campaign, which focuses on taking government services and welfare assistance closer to people, particularly those living in rural areas.

Several senior officials participated in the programme, including Chief Development Officer Prabhas Chandra Dandasena and Chief District Medical Officer Dr. Mahendra Kumar Sahu, along with officials representing different departments at the district and block levels.

85 Grievances Received

During the grievance hearing, authorities received 85 complaints from members of the public. These included 77 individual grievances and eight group complaints.

The District Collector personally heard the concerns raised by residents. Some matters were addressed during the camp itself, while officials concerned were instructed to take prompt action on the remaining cases and work toward their early resolution.

The administration’s approach was aimed at ensuring that complaints do not remain pending unnecessarily and that people receive appropriate assistance through coordinated departmental action.

Financial Assistance Provided

As part of the welfare-oriented activities conducted during the programme, three needy individuals received immediate financial assistance of ₹11,000 from the Red Cross Fund.

The assistance was intended to provide immediate support to beneficiaries facing financial hardship and other difficulties.

Collector Emphasises Doorstep Delivery of Services

Addressing officials in connection with the Seva Setu campaign, Collector Bibhuti Bhushan Nayak stressed the importance of taking government schemes and public services directly to villages.

He called upon officials from different departments to regularly visit rural areas, interact with residents and ensure that eligible people are able to access welfare benefits without unnecessary difficulties.

The Collector also directed officials to organise Gram Sabhas at the panchayat level and strengthen the implementation of the VBG Ramji programme. He emphasised that effective coordination between departments would be essential for ensuring timely delivery of services and addressing local development issues.

Disability and Senior Citizen Camps Held

The programme also included a Bhim Bhoi Disability Empowerment Camp, where persons with disabilities could access various essential services.

A separate health camp for senior citizens was also organised on the block premises. Elderly residents received medical consultations and other health-related assistance during the programme.

The inclusion of these specialised camps allowed vulnerable sections of the community to access multiple services at a single location.

Officials and Representatives Participate

The programme was conducted with the cooperation of BDO Sammi Reddy Jayashree, Tahasildar Shwetapadma Joshi, Deputy Collector Jyotiranjan Bhue and District Social Security Officer Rajendra Kishan, along with officials and employees from several government departments.

Engineers from different departments, line department representatives and block-level personnel also participated in the programme. District Information and Public Relations Officer Bidyapati Panda and representatives of various media organisations were present as well.

The Kantamal camp highlighted the administration’s effort to combine grievance redressal with the delivery of welfare and public services. Through initiatives such as Seva Setu, officials are being encouraged to maintain closer contact with rural communities and improve coordination so that government assistance reaches eligible residents more efficiently.