Mee Kosam popular among poor, hapless :weekly grievance redressal programme

Anantapur: ‘Mee Kosam’ a unique public grievance redressal programme devised by the District Collector, a couple of years ago is witnessing rising popularity. The poor, the hapless and particularly the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes population look forward to Monday every week when the programme is held.

Highlights:

• Collector has created confidence in the system of governance through the programme, says Rajasekhar Reddy from Thalagaspalle village
• Kona Sasidhar expresses happiness as it had won people's confidence

It is a day of hope for the people living in rural areas as their voice is heard with respect and dignity and efforts are made to redress the grievances on the spot. This programme has become very popular even outside the district. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was all praise for the honesty with which efforts are being made by District Collector Kona Sasidhar to solve the problems of people.

‘Mee Kosam’ is held at the Revenue Bhavan at the district collectorate premises from 9 am to 2 pm. People–mostly from rural areas- attending the programme, are welcomed, greeted and treated with respect here. They give their representations first at the counters and get an official receipt.

Their complaints, grievances and demands are examined by the district officials concerned under the direction of the District Collector. If the issue is related to Tahsildhar or a Mandal Development Officer, it is referred to the concerned official. All the 63 Tahsildhars from the 63 mandals are available online via video conference.

The Collector ensures that the grievance is immediately attended to as far as possible unless it has financial implications and required time to address or to be referred to government. Rajasekhar Reddy from Thalagaspalle village says that for first time in many years, his demand for a ration card has been heard and attended to via-video conference. He expressed happiness about being given a patient hearing to his representation.

This approach, Reddy says has given a hope for the poor and hapless people. Another positive of this programme is that people can meet any official including the Collector and get their problems resolved. The Collector has created confidence in the system of governance through the Mee Kosam programme.

A woman by name Sathyavathi expressed happiness that she could get a patient hearing from the Collector in her land dispute which she says is now in the process of resolution. The Collector, Joint Collector, DRO and the entire revenue staff dedicate the day for the common people.

The Collector has infused new life into the grievance redressal mechanism by announcing at the meeting today that the ‘Mee Kosam’ files will be thoroughly audited personally by him to check the status of grievances redressed on a permanent basis.
The response of the officials will also be scrutinised by the Collector to ascertain the results and also to know the pulse of the people.

Speaking to The Hans India, Kona Sasidhar expressed happiness at the success of ‘Mee Kosam’ programme and that it had won people's confidence. “People believed in our sincere efforts to resolve people's problems. They have found a new hope in the programme and that is the reason why people are turning in large numbers every Monday. A huge exercise is required with the entire district machinery applying its mind on resolving problems on the day,” he said. The district administration is now going to the next level of auditing the performance of officials and results.

By Ravi P Benjamin