'Grama Sabha' to be activated: Chandy

In order to ensure prompt delivery of various welfare payments of the government, the 'grama sabha' (village assemblies) will be activated across the state, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here today.
In his brief introductory remarks at the outset of a mass contact programme here, Chandy said as the lowest tier of local self-governance, the 'grama sabha' will be able to spot out truly eligible people for the benefits of welfare projects, especially those meant for less privileged sections.
The Chief Minister said this had become evident from his interaction with people during mass contact programmes in various districts.
Scores of people seeking solutions to various grievances, ranging from welfare pensions to medical aid, turned up at the programme at the EMS Stadium here.

LDF workers staged a demonstration outside the venue as part of their ongoing campaign against the Chief Minister, seeking his resignation in the context of the solar scam.
Three months back, Chandy had resumed the second phase of the outreach programme which won the UN award for public service.

The programme is aimed at bridging the gap between the people and the government by removing the menace of "red tape" which comes in the way of just and speedy delivery of services.
The experience gained from the campaign would be factored in to update official rules and procedures for better governance.

In the first phase of the mass contact programme last year, over five lakh petitions were received from 14 districts, a vast majority settled and a few left out involved legal hitches or beyond consideration.