Chandy readies for mass contact programme again

Kerala Chief Minister Thursday said that he would embark upon a mass contact programme at all district headquarters in the state next month.

"The first one would be held here in Thiruvananthapuram district on August 12 and the last one on (August) 14 at Kottayam," the chief minister told IANS.

Now in its third edition, the mass contact programme will cover Kerala's all 14 districts. During the programme, Chandy will listen to people's complaints and ensure that they are sorted out by following it up with officials.

Officials from every state department will attend the programme along with the chief minister.

Like earlier, people can register their complaints in advance either on the chief minister's website or walk into any IT department-supported Akshaya centre to file their complaints.

Last month, the chief minister received the prestigious United Nations Global Award for Public Service for his mass contact programmes at a ceremony held at the National Theatre in Bahrain.

On several occasions, Chandy was seen standing for close to 20 hours at a stretch during earlier editions of the programme.

On the opposition terming the UN award to him as "stage managed", Chandy said: "I got this award because they also took part in it at all the district headquarters when it was held in 2011-12. The award was given after proper scrutiny."