Citizens raised over 2,600 complaints across 75 municipalities in Marathwada

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Under schemes such as PM SVANidhi, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and Gharkul, citizens have been facing significant issues, particularly a lack of space for housing, water supply in municipal areas, road conditions, and other urban infrastructure problems. Around 2,600 citizens from 75 municipalities in the Marathwada region voiced these grievances. The overwhelming number of complaints highlights the inefficiency and failure of the administrative systems, ranging from district collectors to tehsildars and zilla parishad officials. What’s particularly concerning is that the same issues have been persisting for years, indicating a lack of effective solutions or progress. The grievances were presented by citizens and farmers on Tuesday and Wednesday during a direct interaction with the Divisional Commissioner.

In a special initiative titled "Ward Visit – Problem Resolution Campaign", Divisional Commissioner Dilip Gawade directly interacted with citizens from various municipal areas. A total of 2,600 citizens from 75 municipalities participated online from 152 locations to voice their concerns and complaints. Gawade assured citizens of prompt resolution of their issues and issued a directive to all administrative departments to submit a report to the Divisional Commissioner’s Office within two days detailing the steps taken on the grievances raised.

The session was also attended by Additional Commissioners Babasaheb Beldar and K R Pardeshi, Deputy Collectors Umakant Pardhi and Shubhangi Andhale, along with the concerned Resident Deputy Collectors, Tehsildars, and Bloc Development Officers (BDOs).

Widespread issues with farm roads across the region

Many problems related to farm roads (shet raste) have been reported across the entire region. Existing roads should be officially numbered, and in several areas, these access roads are too narrow, making it difficult for large vehicles to pass through, leading to frequent complaints from farmers. There is a pressing need to demarcate the boundaries of internal farm roads and access paths (Shivpanand) across the region and to ensure their construction is completed to quality and standards.

Moreover, revenue authorities are not taking proper action against individuals who block or encroach on farm roads. Although such cases are supposed to be heard by the tehsildar, justice is often delayed. Following instructions from the Revenue Minister to resolve pending farm road cases within one month, the Divisional Commissioner held a dialogue with farmers in Marathwada on Wednesday to address these issues directly.

Implement 'Sasti Adalat' Initiative

Divisional Commissioner Dilip Gawade said, “Farm roads and internal paths are essential for farmers to commute to and from their agricultural lands. At the taluka level, implement the 'Sasti Adalat' initiative to resolve cases related to blocked or encroached farm roads and internal paths, as per the village maps. Closed or encroached roads must be cleared to ensure rightful access for farmers.”