AP govt launches grievance redressal channel 'People First'

The Andhra Pradesh government launched an integrated grievance redressal channel as part of its realtime governance initiative to build a "happy, healthy and sustainable society".

The channel is called 'People First'. Under the initiative, citizens can dial 1100 to register complaints about government services and schemes, which will be escalated to the department concerned in realtime for redressal.

Complaints posted on social media platforms and news reports in the mainstream media will also be integrated with People First.

"Our focus in people-centric governance and elimination of corruption. Our goal is a happy, healthy and sustainable society. Corruption causes dissatisfaction among people. We have to root it out," Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said, launching People First at a two-day conference of district Collectors here this afternoon.

He recalled his recent visit to a village in West Godavari that had transformed into a 'Smart Village' in all parameters.

"But the villagers are not happy because of corruption. They couldn't avail of government services because of corruption, so they are unhappy. We have to eliminate this and make everything hassle-free," the Chief Minister noted.

He asked district Collectors to get a survey done using interactive voice response system in each district to assess the public perception.

Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar observed that corruption has become the "key stumbling block" for development.

"The government's prime focus is people's well being and happiness but corruption has become the key stumbling block. We should focus on rooting out corruption," Kumar added.

The chief secretary pointed out that 50 per cent of habitations in the state lacked drinking water while 20 per cent lacked black-topped roads.

Health care facilities were also grossly inadequate, he said.

Deputy Chief Ministers K E Krishna Murthy (Revenue), N China Rajappa (Home), Ministers and top bureaucrats attended the conference.