To Listen to the People: ‘Chief Minister With Me’

Thiruvananthapuram: In an effort to strengthen communication between the government and the people, the Cabinet has decided to launch a citizen connect center "Mukhyamantri Ennodoppam" (Chief Minister With Me - CM With Me.) This center is designed to act as a central platform where citizens can easily access reliable information about major government welfare schemes, region-specific development projects, and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The centre will operate from a building previously owned by Air India in Vellayambalam, Thiruvananthapuram. The Revenue Department has been assigned responsibility for implementation.

Through this center, people will have the opportunity to get up-to-date information about a wide range of government programs such as the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi, Life Mission housing projects, and other welfare schemes specifically tailored to different regions of the state. Moreover, the centre is designed to collect public feedback and suggestions, allowing citizens to evaluate and contribute to ongoing government initiatives. This interaction will enable the government to refine policies and improve the effectiveness of various schemes based on direct input from the people.

Beyond serving as an information hub, the centre will play a crucial role during emergencies. In times of natural disasters or other crises, it will act as a communication nexus to disseminate timely information, coordinate relief efforts, and facilitate access to emergency services such as shelter, food, and healthcare.

To ensure the smooth functioning of the centre, the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) will provide the necessary technical and infrastructural support. The centre's staffing will include government employees, notably officers from the Kerala Administrative Service, who will work under specific arrangements to manage daily operations. Additionally, senior All India Service officers will be redeployed in supervisory roles to maintain accountability and operational efficiency, with the Chief Secretary responsible for their coordination. The Department of Information and Public Relations will oversee the initiative’s day-to-day operations and ensure consistent quality in service delivery.

 The government has allocated an additional Rs. 20 crore to the Public Relations Department to conduct promotional campaigns. These efforts will utilise traditional and digital media platforms to educate citizens about the services available at the centre and encourage widespread use.

Earlier, the government had undertaken a massive public outreach program called Nava Kerala Sadas, during which the Chief Minister and the entire Cabinet travelled across the state to meet people directly and listen to their concerns.  The initiative involved over 5,000 public meetings in all 140 Assembly constituencies, resulting in the resolution of approximately 1.2 million grievances and the adoption of around 200 policy recommendations. It provided a direct channel for thousands of citizens, particularly from marginalised communities, to voice their concerns related to issues such as land rights, pensions, housing, and healthcare.