SANTHWANA SPARSHAM ADALATH

Santhwana Sparsham was an adalat programme organized by the Kerala State Government to listen to the grievances of the public and for settling them. Ministers from the cabinet were appointed to every district for hearing the complaints. People submitted their petitions via online or through Akshaya Centres. Those petitions that couldn't be solved within the department were shortlisted and considered in the adalat. The petitioners can meet the Ministers and discuss their problem with them. The actions were taken directly by them at a fast pace.

In Pathanamthitta hearings were held on 15^th, 16^th and 18^th of February 2021 under the Ministers A.C Moideen, A.K Sasidharan and J Mercykutty Amma in the presence of heads of various departments.

The majority of complaints were related to financial support for medical treatments and construction of houses, distribution of pension, ration card, and welfare funds. Along with online grievances, spot complaints were also considered on the directives of Ministers.

Adalat for Kozhencherry and Adoor taluk were conducted on February 15^th at Makkamkunnu St. Stephens Church Auditorium. Complaints from Konni and Ranni taluks were considered on 16^th February at Mount Bethany English Medium Higher Secondary School, Mylapra. On 18^th February, petitions from Thiruvalla and Mallappally taluk were considered at St. John’s Cathedral Auditorium, Thiruvalla.

On these days, DC Volunteers were assigned duty to coordinate and manage the Adalat as per the request from the District Collector. All the seating arrangements of the Adalat Venues were done by the volunteers. During the Covid’19 Pandemic situation, it was a difficult task to manage the crowd and ensure Covid Protocols. Somehow we managed the situation by maintaining different queues to different tables. Proper social distancing was maintained and everyone was instructed to use their mask properly. All the petitioners were given proper guidance regarding the hearing and its procedures and also they were directed to the concerned table. Some of our volunteers assisted the officials for the smooth running of the Adalat Procedures. The role of volunteers in the smooth and well-managed conduct of the Adalat was later appreciated by the District Collector.