Kejriwal scraps 'Janata Darbar', proposes other ways to address public grievances

After his inaugural "Janata Darbar" or public hearing was called off after it developed into a near stampede-like situation here, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday discarded his plan of holding such public sessions, and said that the state government is working towards opening other avenues to post their grievances.

Asserting that he would be available to meet the people once a week for about two to three hours, Kejriwal said that they need not personally come to him with their grievances.

"We witnessed a huge crowd that day, and therefore we had a meeting today morning, and we are formulating a system wherein people can post their grievances online, which is already available on the Delhi government's website. We are going to set up a call center for those who cannot post their grievances. They can also send their grievances by post," he told media here today.

"So, now people don't have to meet me to discuss their problems. We have decided this today, and it would take three four days to get the helpline number. But there are people who just want to meet the chief minister or the ministers. So, I will be available to meet them once a week for two three hours. We are trying to open various avenues for people to solve their problems," he added.

Earlier on January 11, Kejriwal's first "Janata Darbar" had to be called off, and forced security personnel to whisk Kejriwal and ministers, Rakhi Birla and Somnath Bharti, away from the site.

He further stated that those who had come for the Janata Darbar, had come with a lot of hopes and expectations, and added that he had not expected such a huge attendance.

Kejriwal took oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi on December 28.