Maha Govt to 'talk the talk' after another suicide attempt outside Mantralaya

On a day a woman tried to end her life in a lane opposite the Mantralaya, the state government has reissued a directive to the bureaucracy at all levels that officers should reserve some time for listening to people's grievances.

Drastic step
On Friday, Shakubai Jhalte consumed some substance to draw attention to alleged injustice on the government's part in a matter of family land dispute. She was taken to a government hospital, where her condition is said to be stable. She hails from a village in Nashik district.

She was given possession of the land, but the opposite party got the handover stayed by appealing before a higher authority. Malegaon additional collector assured that her case will be reviewed by revenue officials, and that additional police superintendent will probe irregularities like corruption in the local revenue office.

'Meet people daily'
On Friday, the government reissued a notification telling staffers that they should meet people between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm daily. Officials above the rank of sub-divisional officers have been asked to meet people on Mondays and Fridays, between 3 pm and 5 pm. Sources said the previous order wasnt followed by officials in the name of meetings and field visits. The government woke up in the wake of several suicide attempts of which one was successful.

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