Helpline for direct CMO connection makes debut

Sarthak.G

Kolkata: The state govt on Wednesday unveiled ‘Apnar Sarkar Apnar Pashe (Your Govt is Beside You)’ with the help of which people of Bengal can connect with the chief minister’s office (CMO) if they face any problem in availing any govt service. Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari unveiled the helpline, 8282082820, where people can call to directly reach the CMO with their grievances about any scheme or service.

The helpline would be operational from 9 am to 6 pm from Monday to Saturday, the CM announced at Nabanna. People can also mail their complaints to asap@wb.gov.in. The initiative is especially aimed at assisting beneficiaries of different govt schemes, such as Annapurna Yojana, who can reach out to the CMO if they face any problem in receiving the grants.

In 2023, the then CM, Mamata Banerjee, introduced the ‘Talk to the Chief Minister’ programme, under which people could call and register their problems. After the BJP came into office, the party reportedly did not object to the earlier initiative but Adhikari allegedly had reservations about the name, alleging the programme was launched not to solve people’s problems but to promote Banerjee herself.

The new govt has now changed not only the name of the service but also the helpline number.

State minister Agnimitra Paul said the govt would introduce another helpline for women’s safety and security, offering them quick cop assistance . “My mothers and sisters of Bengal will go out whenever they want to, wear whatever they feel like and eat whatever food they want to. No one will dictate what you should eat, wear or when when you can go out. We won’t question why women are out after 8 pm. Breathe freely under the open sky, take a breath of freedom in the BJP govt’s tenure.”