AAP’s `Janta Darbar’ ends in chaos, Kejriwal leaves mid-way

Aam Aadmi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's first attempt to hold a darbar on the roads outside the Delhi Secretariat ended in chaos and a desperate Kejrwal was forced to leave the venue mid-way disappointing thousands gathered to register their grievances.

The huge crowd that thronged the venue screamed and shouted, making it impossible for Kejriwal and a handful of his aides to sit and resolve the problems of the people.

The swelling crowds broke police barricades and the Delhi Police and Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel had a tough time managing the crowd.

An estimated 50,000 people had gathered in front of the secretariat, according to the police.

The crowd mostly comprised contractual workers from various government departments like DTC, power company BSES, different government hospitals, municipal corporations, among others demanding permanent status.

Chief minister Kejriwal said, "The maximum complaints were from government employees, and on water and electricity issues."

''We had not even imagined that so many people will turn out today. It was becoming difficult to manage them...If I had not left the venue, there was a possibility of a stampede,'' he added.

Those complainants who could meet the chief minister or the cabinet ministers, were issued receipts for their complaints.

Besides Kejriwal and his cabinet ministers, officials of various government departments, the DDA, municipal corporation and police were also present at the meeting.

While there is a separate minister to receive grievances from the public on weekdays, Kejriwal had earlier said the entire cabinet would sit in front of the Delhi secretariat on Saturdays to receive grievances from people to ensure quick resolution of grievances.

''Public grievance is another major issue. It is a major issue for any government. It is the duty of every government to resolve those grievances. Public grievance is just a symptom, the disease lies somewhere else,'' Kejriwal had said.

Grievances will be segregated into five categories depending upon their urgencies.

''The urgent cases related to school admission or admission to a hospital will be resolved on the spot. In the next category, ministers will mention the time frame to resolve the grievance.

''Those related to policy matters will require time. They will be forwarded to the respective ministers for their considerations, he had said.

The next category will be for taking suggestions from the public.

Kejriwal said he will set up a team to look into these grievances which will regularly suggest the best of solutions to the chief minister.

The last category of grievances classified under the miscellaneous category are not related to the government and solutions for those will have to be sought elsewhere, he had said.

Kejriwal also said that he will not go by mere compliance reports filed by the officials but will ensure that the complainant is absolutely satisfied.