Joint responsibility of administration and citizens: a pathway to social progress, says Jayesh Bafna

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Mumbai: For the development of society, the contribution of the administration, public representatives, and leaders is indispensable, but for successful progress, the role of every citizen is equally important. Often, it is assumed that the problems in our daily lives fall solely under the administration’s duties, but active citizen involvement and responsibility are also crucial for resolving these issues.

Administrative Duties and Citizen Involvement
The primary duties of the administration include providing public services, maintaining law and order, and fostering urban development. However, for the administration to function effectively, the cooperation of citizens is essential. For instance, if there are potholes on the roads or waste is not being managed properly in your area, it is the responsibility of citizens to lodge a complaint with the local administration. But merely filing a complaint is not enough; citizens should also follow up on the resolution of these complaints. It is necessary to continuously monitor whether the complaints are being addressed appropriately. This creates a sense of accountability in the administration, leading to quicker resolution of issues.

Online Portals for Lodging Complaints and Suggestions
To make grievance redressal easier, the central and state governments have provided various online portals. These portals offer citizens an effective means to raise their issues and communicate directly with the administration. Some examples include: CPGRAMS (PGPORTAL), MAHARASHTRA GRIEVANCE PORTAL, RTIONLINE (Central Government), RT ONLINE MAHARASHTRA (State Government).

Citizen Responsibility and Awareness
In addition to monitoring the administration’s work, lodging complaints, and following up on them, citizens must also be aware of their responsibilities. It is important to educate everyone, from children to students, about their rights and responsibilities. As responsible citizens, it is essential to use the Right to Information (RTI) to scrutinize the functioning of the administration. This promotes transparency and accountability within the administration, enabling citizens to question and verify the accuracy of the information received. It is not acceptable to assume that the problems and events in society fall solely under the responsibility of the ruling party. The opposition and citizens must also recognize their responsibilities. If citizens fail to fulfill their duties, the entire society suffers as a result. Therefore, it is essential to constantly evaluate our roles and make the necessary changes as needed.

Role of the Media
Newspapers, news channels, and social media also play a vital role in society. They must fulfill their duty of providing objective, truthful, and transparent news. To elevate society, it is necessary for everyone to work together. If every citizen, the administration, and the media fulfill their roles appropriately, society will become progressive, safe, and prosperous. In conclusion, it is not enough to place all the burden on the administration; citizens must also recognize their responsibilities. It is easy to assign blame, but to bring about positive change in society, collective effort is the key to real progress. Through the joint efforts of responsible citizenship and efficient administration, our society can progress towards a brighter future.

Article by Jayesh Sangita Dinesh Bafna, Dhule.