Gujarat CM pushes swift grievance redressal under ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday personally heard citizens’ grievances during the State SWAGAT session for March 2026, reinforcing the governance philosophy of ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ (Citizen is God) and directing officials to ensure swift and transparent resolution of issues.According to information, more than 100 applicants from across Gujarat presented their concerns directly during the online grievance redressal programme. Additionally, authorities acted on 1,218 representations at the district level and 2,294 at the taluka level, reflecting the programme’s extensive reach.
Emphasising prompt action, the Chief Minister issued directives across a range of cases, including family disputes, school infrastructure gaps, and farmer-related concerns. In one instance involving an elderly mother allegedly subjected to harassment and forced out of her home, Patel instructed the District Collector and Superintendent of Police to ensure immediate enforcement of administrative orders and protection for the victim.Highlighting education infrastructure, the Chief Minister prioritised the needs of nearly 300 students studying in a 40-year-old primary school at Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, directing immediate approval for the construction of a new school building.
Farmer-related grievances received special focus during the session. Acting on a complaint regarding obstruction of water flow in the Khari River near Dahegam due to overgrowth, Patel ordered immediate clearance to prevent soil erosion and crop damage. Officials assured that the issue would be addressed under the Sujalam Sufalam scheme.The Chief Minister also directed authorities to resolve other agricultural concerns on priority, including crop losses caused by leaking underground pipelines and removal of encroachments blocking access to farmlands.

PHOTO | Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel (@Bhupendrapbjp) chaired the March 2026 State SWAGAT programme, addressing over 100 citizen grievances with a ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ approach and directing swift action across districts. From resolving farmers’ issues like land damage… pic.twitter.com/rKqSesKbKA

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 25, 2026

Reiterating the importance of transparent governance, Patel instructed district administrations, including Collectors and Superintendents of Police, to ensure timely, fair, and accountable grievance redressal to strengthen public trust.Senior officials, including Principal Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary Dr. Vikrant Pandey, Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar, and other administrative officers, were present during the session.The SWAGAT programme continues to serve as a key platform for direct citizen-government interaction, enabling efficient resolution of public issues while reinforcing accountability at all administrative levels.

(State Correspondent)