MUMBAI, JULY 19: Fed up with the BMC. Bogged down by red-tapism. Hexed by black magic. Where do you go from here? To your friendly neighbourhood district collector on Janta Din.Held every third Monday at the district collectorates, and chaired by the collectors, the second Janta Din today was indeed a bada din for citizens.The city and suburban collectors both lent their ears to the problems of fellow Mumbaikars which ranged from civic apathy to jaadu tona. ``I couldn't believe my ears when this man, a resident of Kandivli, cried his heart out. he feared that his hidden enemies had cast a black magic spell on him, which makes him dizzy whenever he leaves for office!'' said Suburban Collector Vasant Gavai, adding that the case has been forwarded to the local police, since the man had also claimed his life was in danger.The Janta Din was conceived by the state government earlier this year to speed up the response of state agencies to complaints filed by citizens. Senior officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking, the police, the Cooperation Department and the Public Works Department are required to be present to receive their complaints.``We received over 90 complaints today mainly dealing with civic issues like sanitation, encroachment and housing society problems. We are glad that the public is now aware of the Janta Din, because last month, we received barely five complaints,'' said Gavai.He said one person had complained of lack of proper sanitation in Kurla. ``I immediately asked the `L' ward officer to accompany the complainant to the spot. If the BMC still fails to act then I shall write to the higher-ups,'' he said.City Collector D Chakravorty said one particular complainant had not received the original documents (Deed of Conveyance) of his flat which he had bought 14 years ago, despite being shunted between various government departments. Today, he was assured a solution within a month, the official time limit set by the state.Chakravorty had to play shrink and an efficient bureacrat alike. ``Some of the complaints may seem too trivial for us; but not so for the people. Hence, I was happy to deal with them, along with the police and BMC representatives,'' he said.The number of cases received by the city collectorate today was 48 compared to two last month. ``In fact I also received cases that did not concern my zones like from Thane, Navi Mumbai and Raigad,'' said the collector. He added that only 30 complaints concerned his district. The next Janta Din will be held on August 16.
