Cuttack administration withholds salary of officers for poor grievance redressal

The Cuttack district administration has taken a strict measure against officers who failed to address public grievances on time, withholding their salaries for November 2025. The move follows repeated warnings and review meetings, as the district has consistently lagged behind other districts in grievance disposal, according to the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell (CMGC).

An official order issued on November 25, 2025, by the Additional District Magistrate of Cuttack noted that ‘even after repeated persuasion and review meetings, the progress of disposal is not encouraging.’

The CMGC reportedly expressed ‘utter displeasure’ over the slow redressal of complaints during the Monday grievance review meeting.

The order directs the withholding of salaries for defaulting officers, until further instructions from the Collector. Officials have been reminded that responding to grievances received through the Janasunani portal in a time-bound manner is mandatory. Continued negligence could attract further disciplinary action.

“…the grievances received through Janasunani Portal are to be responded within a time bound manner asChief Minister Grievance Cell is reviewing the matter regularly for disposal of pending grievances. Even after repeated persuasion and review meetings, the progress of disposal is not encouraging. The District's Ranking /Position in disposal percentage is worsening in whole of the State. CMGC has expressed utter displeasure over poor disposal of grievances received in Monday CM Grievance Cell. You are therefore requested to withheld the salary of the defaulting Officer as per list enclosed herewith for the month of November, 2025, until further instructions of Collector,” the office order read.

Also Read: Orissa High Court orders Rs 20 lakh compensation for death of undertrial due to ‘negligence’

The measure underscores the state government’s focus on citizen-centric governance and accountability. With rising public expectations and a growing volume of complaints, timely grievance disposal is being treated as a key performance parameter for district administrations.