Maharashtra Minister and prominent BJP leader, Ganesh Naik, recently made a significant claim: a full 10% of officials within the state’s administration are “incompetent.” Speaking after a ‘janata darbar’ (public meeting) in Thane, he asserted that if public servants acted with a strong sense of duty rather than mere compulsion, there would be no need for such grievance forums at all.
The minister shared his views with reporters on Monday, following a lively ‘janata darbar’ held in Thane. This city, known as a bastion for Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Eknath Shinde, saw over 260 citizens present their concerns on a wide array of civic, administrative, and developmental challenges.
Naik, who also serves as the State Forest Minister, assured attendees that immediate action would be taken on approximately 60% of the grievances, with the rest slated for resolution within a defined timeframe. He didn’t mince words about the bureaucracy, stating, “While 90% of officers are dedicated, 10% are simply incompetent – a reality you can witness firsthand.” He then recounted numerous examples of public issues being left unaddressed by officials.
He emphasized his core belief: “Public works should be driven by a genuine sense of duty, not by external compulsion. If everyone genuinely embraced their responsibilities, there would be no need for these public grievance meetings.” He further highlighted that “a profound sense of collective responsibility and dedication could drastically enhance the efficiency of public service.”
“Citizens attend these ‘janata darbars’ with the hope that their problems will finally find solutions,” Naik, who is also the guardian Minister for the neighboring Palghar District, observed. “However, if every officer and citizen performed their duties diligently, grievances would naturally diminish.” He stressed the importance of respectful engagement, adding, “Those who approach a ‘janata darbar’ deserve to have their voices heard and their concerns resolved.”
Addressing the meeting organizers and officials directly, Naik stated, “They (the public) deserve respect. Even if you don’t feel inclined to respect them, at least do not insult them.” He reiterated his point about efficiency: “If issues were truly resolved, there would be no need for this ‘darbar’ whatsoever. But since that often isn’t the case, people come here with immense hope.”
Shifting focus, Mr. Naik also shed light on the ambitious upcoming Vadhavan Port project in Palghar, which is projected to become the world’s 10th largest port. He emphasized that this colossal undertaking would significantly boost India’s national connectivity by integrating road networks nationwide.
The minister enthusiastically outlined the port’s anticipated benefits for local residents, promising “immense progress.” He stated that locals would receive priority in areas such as education, healthcare, trade, and employment opportunities. All preparatory work is expected to be finalized before the port’s scheduled operational date in 2029.