Sikkim Tops Northeast, UP Among Bigger States in Grievance Redressal: Govt Report
Sikkim has emerged as the top-performing state in addressing public complaints in the Northeast region of India, according to the latest report released by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) under the Personnel Ministry. The report, titled the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) monthly report, ranks states based on their performance in grievance redressal for the month of June 2023.
With a score of 66.70 percent, the government of Sikkim secured the top spot among the northeastern states. It was followed by Assam with a score of 57.45 percent and Arunachal Pradesh with a score of 52.30 percent. Sikkim has demonstrated an impressive track record in disposing of grievances, resolving 173 complaints with an average closing time of 43 days between January and June 2023.
In the Union Territories category, Lakshadweep emerged as the top performer with a score of 70.41 percent. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands secured second place with a score of 64.55 percent, followed by Ladakh with a score of 55.25 percent. Lakshadweep also showcased commendable efficiency, disposing of 181 grievances with an average closing time of just 14 days.
Among the states with more than 17,500 grievances, Uttar Pradesh ranked first with a score of 63.90 percent. Jharkhand secured the second position with a score of 48.95 percent, and Madhya Pradesh came in third with a score of 43.53 percent. Uttar Pradesh successfully addressed a staggering 1,23,633 grievances, with an average closing time of 24 days. The state received the highest number of complaints in June 2023, totaling 20,470, and managed to resolve the highest number of grievances, including carry-forward cases, at 22,168.
In the category of states with less than 17,500 grievances, Telangana secured the top spot with a score of 74.44 percent. Chhattisgarh followed closely behind with a score of 57.50 percent, and Kerala secured third place with a score of 52.16 percent. Telangana disposed of 3,043 grievances with an exceptional average closing time of just seven days.
The rankings introduced by the DARPG aim to assist states and Union Territories in evaluating and streamlining their grievance redressal systems. The objective is to foster better efficiency and performance in handling public complaints. The report highlights the need for continued improvement in addressing the pending 1,88,275 public grievance cases across all states and Union Territories as of June 30, 2023.
The government, particularly in states like Sikkim, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh, should be commended for their efforts in promptly resolving complaints and ensuring citizen satisfaction. By providing timely and effective solutions, these states are setting an example for others to follow. The challenge now lies in maintaining this momentum and further enhancing the grievance redressal mechanisms in place.
It is encouraging to see Lakshadweep ranking at the top among the Union Territories, emphasizing the importance of prompt action and efficient resolution. The performance of states like Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Kerala also deserves recognition for their efforts in addressing public grievances.
The rankings serve as a reminder that effective grievance redressal is crucial for building trust and fostering accountability in governance. Ensuring citizens’ satisfaction and addressing their concerns in a timely manner should be a priority for all states and Union Territories across India.
Moving forward, it is essential that states and Union Territories continue to make concerted efforts to streamline their grievance redressal systems, improve response times, and enhance overall efficiency. By doing so, they can contribute to a more responsive and citizen-centric administration, ultimately leading to greater public trust and confidence in the government machinery.
