SWAGAT

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Context: On April 27, Prime Minister will attend a programme commemorating the 20th anniversary of the SWAGAT initiative in Gujarat.

Details

SWAGAT

SWAGAT (State Wide Attention on Grievances through Application of Technology) is a tech-based grievance redressal programme.
It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2003 when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
It acts as a bridge between the citizens and the government using technology by solving their day-to-day grievances in a quick, efficient and time-bound manner.
It allows the common man to address his problems directly to the Chief Minister.
Every month on the 4th Thursday, the Chief Minister meets with citizens to discuss their grievances.

Objectives

Serve as a technological bridge between citizens and the government by resolving their day-to-day grievances in a timely, efficient, and effective manner.
Resolving problems in a paperless, transparent, and hassle-free manner.

Working Model

The SWAGAT Online Programme has four components:
- State SWAGAT
- District SWAGAT
- Taluka SWAGAT
- Gram SWAGAT
The Chief Minister attends public hearings during State SWAGAT.
The District Collector is in charge of District SWAGAT.
The Mamlatdar and a Class-1 Officer head the Taluka SWAGAT.
In Gram SWAGAT, citizens file the application from the 1st to the 10th of every month to the Talati/Mantri.
A Lok Fariyad program is also operational for citizens wherein they file their grievances at the SWAGAT Unit.

Significance

SWAGAT has brought about a transformative impact in the lives of people and has become an effective tool to solve woes in a paperless, transparent and hassle-free manner.
It has enhanced ease of living by ensuring grievance redressal in a quick, efficient and time-bound manner.
It has improved accountability and responsiveness of public service delivery.
All application proceedings are available online. Until now, more than 99% of all grievances have been settled.

Conclusion

SWAGAT has been recognised nationally and internationally as a best practice in e-governance. It won the United Nations Public Service Award in 2010 for improving transparency, accountability and responsiveness in public service.
It is a unique initiative that reflects the Prime Minister's vision of using technology to promote good governance and empower citizens. It is a model that can be replicated by other states and countries to improve public service delivery and citizen satisfaction.

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PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. “SWAGAT initiative” was recently in the news, it is related to;

(A) The welfare of Non-resident Indians (NRI)

(B) Permitting foreign universities in India

(D) Rescue Mission of Government of India in Sudan

Answer: C