Kerala is gearing up for its local body elections, and the state government just took a big step to bring people closer to decision-making. In a fresh move, the Kerala Cabinet has greenlit a program called ‘Chief Minister With Me’ (CM With Me). This initiative promises better direct communication between citizens and the government, making governance more participatory and responsive.
The idea kicked off during a weekly cabinet meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. At the heart of it all is a new Citizen Connect Centre, which will act as the main hub for the program. As per a statement from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office, this setup aims to reach every corner of society, collect real feedback, and deliver quick fixes to people’s issues. It’s all about turning citizens into active partners in Kerala’s growth, not just passive recipients of schemes.
So, what exactly will the Citizen Connect Centre do? It will offer easy access to details on key government schemes, welfare programs, sectoral projects, and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Expect a smooth system to gather public input, analyze it, and use it to boost service quality, increase accountability, and cut down on red tape.
The program will pull people into everyday missions like housing, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and environmental protection. Citizens’ ideas and reviews will feed straight into planning and reviews. Plus, there’s a solid grievance redressal system to handle complaints and questions fast.
In times of crisis, the centre steps up big time—sharing accurate info, coordinating relief efforts, and speeding up government aid delivery.
To make this happen, the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) will handle the tech, infrastructure, and staffing needs. Government staff, including Kerala Administrative Service officers, will pitch in on a rotational basis. The Chief Secretary has the green light to issue orders and shift All India Service officers for oversight.
On the funding side, the government has set aside an extra Rs 20 crore for the Information and Public Relations Department. This will cover content creation, outreach, and communication, while ensuring the whole program runs smoothly and meets high standards.
This ‘CM With Me’ initiative could be a game-changer for citizen engagement in Kerala, especially with elections on the horizon. It shows the government’s push for transparent and people-driven governance.
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