AAP MLA Gopal Italia seeks ‘Night Offices’ to curb corruption

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — Gopal Italia, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA representing the Visavadar constituency in Gujarat, has proposed a unique approach to tackle the ubiquitous issue of corruption in government offices, aiming to ensure that the essential needs of the public are addressed effectively.

Italia has written to Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel demanding that the working hours of the offices directly connected to the public such as mamlatdar, taluka panchayat and gram panchayat across the state should be changed from the current 10 am to 6 pm to 2 pm to 9 pm. 

“If the departments like police stations and toll plazas can operate day and night, then why can’t administrative offices be kept open till 9 pm for the benefit of the public?” Italia raised a crucial question in his representation to the CM. 

MLA Gopal Italia has stated in the representation that the timings of government offices are from 10 am to 6 pm. During this period, the common man is busy with his job, labor or farming. For the smallest example, an applicant for government work has to take leave from his work. If the work is not done that day, he or she has to take leave, due to which the poor and middle class people have to suffer financial loss. If the offices are open till 9 pm, then people can finish their work and do their government work comfortably.

Gopal Italia has suggested in the letter to change the timings of the offices, especially the Mamlatdar and Prant offices, Taluka and Gram Panchayat offices, Nagarpalika and Mahanagarpalika zone offices and Electricity Department (DGVCL/PGVCL) offices.

The MLA has also mentioned in the letter that services like police stations, fire brigade, ST bus stations, government hospitals and government toll plazas in Gujarat are functional 24 hours or till late night. If all these departments can continue working at night for the convenience of the public, then there should be no technical obstacle in keeping the Panchayat or Mamlatdar office functioning till 9 pm. This decision will also reduce corruption and reduce the need for middlemen.

The MLA representing a rural area like Visavadar added that farmers work in the fields all day. They have to waste the whole day to come to the city for 7/12 extract (Satbara Utara) or other assistance. If the concept of ‘night office’ is implemented, then a new twist will be added to the Gujarat model and the public will experience ‘ease of  governance’ in the true sense. Currently, this letter is also going viral on social media, which many people are welcoming, while many are opposing it.