Assam to launch CM Helpline in January 2025 to address public grievances

The Assam government is set to launch a new initiative in January 2025 aimed at resolving public grievances directly through the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The CM Helpline, as it will be called, will allow citizens to report issues ranging from basic services to more complex concerns, ensuring quicker resolutions and a direct channel to Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Chief Minister Dr. Sarma highlighted that many people in the state face a range of issues, particularly at the grassroots level, where navigating government systems often proves challenging. He noted that citizens frequently move from office to office, struggling to get their concerns addressed, and the CM Helpline is intended to cut through this bureaucracy. "The helpline will be a one-stop solution for people to directly voice their issues to me," the Chief Minister said.

The new service is expected to ease the burdens on citizens, especially in rural areas where local government offices can be difficult to access, and response times are often slow. According to official sources, despite numerous efforts by the state government to improve transparency and streamline services, many residents still experience roadblocks in getting their grievances heard, particularly at the district office level. "There are cases where officials fail to give due attention to concerns, leading to delays," a senior official explained.

The CM Helpline will address this gap by providing a dedicated, responsive platform for citizens to place their complaints directly with the CMO. It will complement the various online portals already in place, which allow residents to access services under the Assam Right to Public Service Act. Since its implementation, over 300 services have been brought under the purview of these initiatives.