Power cut woes: IAS officer hears public grievances under mobile phone torchlight in Odisha

In an unusual turn of events, an IAS officer was forced to conduct a district-level public grievance hearing in Odisha's Bhadrak under mobile phone torchlight after repeated power cuts disrupted the proceedings.

The incident occurred at the Town Hall in Basudevpur during the joint public grievance hearing chaired by Bhadrak Collector Dilip Routrai. 

As electricity failed several times, the Collector had to rely on the light from mobile phones to read out petitions and listen to grievances from the public.

Despite the inconvenience, the hearing continued, with officials making efforts to ensure that complainants were heard. 

Alongside the Collector, Bhadrak SP Manoj Rout, Sub-Collector, CDMO, PD, Tehsildar, and heads of various departments were present during the session. 

Citizens from different areas placed their problems before the administration, ranging from local infrastructure demands to health and revenue-related grievances.

Officials assured that the complaints received during the hearing will be processed, and necessary steps will be taken by the respective departments.

“We have urged the people to file their grievance online so that it can be addressed swiftly. But only 16 individuals have filed their grievances online. We have resolved most of the problems. I urge everyone to file their grievances online,” said Routrai.