The Sikkim government has announced the introduction of a grievance redressal and monitoring system to make the administration more responsive to people’s complaints.

V.B. Pathak, the Sikkim chief secretary, in a notification on Monday, said the system would operate from the block to the district levels, monitored by the chief minister’s office.

Recently, during an interactive Janta Bhet Karyakram (a programme to meet people), Sikkim chief minister P.S. Tamang announced that such a system would be put in place for the benefit of the masses.

Tamang, who represents the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha government in the state, will face elections next year. The new mechanism is being seen as a part of the SKM’s strategy to reach out to people and their complaints in a more effective manner.

“Nodal officers would be deputed in block, sub-divisional and district levels to run the centres. Any person can file a complaint or application and will get an acknowledgement receipt. All such letters will be sent to the chief minister’s office on a weekly basis to resolve the complaints,” said a source.

The facility would be available for people on all working days from 9 am to 5 pm.

The notification says the centres will receive applications or complaints on a series of issues, ranging from non-receipt of benefits of government schemes to delays in getting certificates and land documents.

“People can also give information on erratic power and water supply, waste management, roads and other government-related services. A specific issue of an individual of the state can also be addressed through these centres,” the source added.

Administrative officials of Sikkim’s six districts have been asked to publicise the facility, with details of documents required to be submitted with the complaints.

“The state IT department has been asked to prepare a software application and a mobile application in a month so that people can file complaints online,” said an official.