State Cabinet approves ‘CM With Me’ initiative to boost public-government interface and transparency

The State Cabinet on Wednesday approved the launch of a new initiative, ‘Mukhyamantri Ennodoppam’ (CM With Me), designed to establish a more responsive and transparent interface between the government and the people, and enhance public participation in governance.

A key feature of the programme is the creation of a comprehensive Citizen Connect Centre, which will serve as a central hub for citizen feedback, grievance redressal and public communication.

The objectives of the initiative include providing easy access to information of key government schemes, welfare programmes and the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund; collection and analysis of public feedback to improve the quality and timeliness of government projects; gathering public suggestions in sectors including housing, healthcare, education, infrastructure and environmental sustainability that directly impact people’s lives; ensuring responses to public grievances; ensuring transparency and public participation in governance through a public outreach mechanism; and functioning as a reliable public service system especially in emergencies by ensuring timely information, coordinated disaster community, and swift delivery of government assistance.

Experienced government officials will be tasked with managing the programme. The Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) will provide technical support, infrastructure and manpower support.

Government staff, including Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) officers, will be appointed on a working arrangement basis. The Chief Secretary has been authorised to issue necessary orders. All India Service officers will also be roped in to oversee supervision.

An additional ₹20 crore will be allocated to the Information and Public Relations department for content creation, dissemination and feedback collection. The department will also be responsible for ensuring the effective implementation, oversight and quality control of the programme.

The Citizen Connect Centre will operate from the Air India building at Vellayambalam, which has been taken over for this purpose. The Revenue department has been tasked by the Cabinet with adopting necessary arrangements.