Got a grievance that’s been stuck in government red tape for months? West Bengal’s new Janatar Darbar programme is designed to fix exactly that. On the directions of Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, district and block-level officials across the state are now required to sit down with the public twice a week — no appointment, no application form, no weeks of waiting for a reply. Here’s everything you need to know about when, where, and how it works.
What Is Janatar Darbar?
Janatar Darbar (জনতার দরবার) literally means “the people’s court.” It’s West Bengal’s new public hearing initiative aimed at speeding up grievance redressal across the state, so complaints don’t get stuck bouncing between departments or buried in paperwork.
Instead, field-level officers are now required to meet the public in person, twice a week, at their own offices — on the specific directions of Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, who has asked every district and block office in the state to follow this fixed schedule.
Janatar Darbar: Quick Facts
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme Name | Janatar Darbar (Public Hearing) |
| Directed By | Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal |
| Applicable At | District and block-level government offices, statewide |
| Days | Every Tuesday and Thursday |
| Timing | 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Registration/Appointment | Not required |
| Who Can Attend | Any citizen with a grievance or complaint |
Why Was It Launched?
The idea behind Janatar Darbar is to cut out the middleman. Rather than citizens having to track down the right official or file complaint after complaint through formal channels, they can now walk into their local government office on a fixed day and time and raise the issue directly — whether it’s a pension that hasn’t come through, a civic problem in their area, or a service that’s been delayed.
Date, Timing & Venue
Janatar Darbar runs twice every week — every Tuesday and Thursday, from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM. It’s held at government offices at the district and block level, so you don’t need to travel to Kolkata or a state headquarters; your local BDO or SDO office is the venue.
Since it’s a recurring weekly fixture rather than a one-time event, there’s no separate “next date” to track — if it’s a Tuesday or Thursday, your local office should be holding one.
Which Officials Will Be Present?
Each session is meant to have a full bench of local officials on hand, including:
- District Magistrate (DM)
- Municipal Commissioner
- Block Development Officer (BDO)
- Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO)
- Senior police officials
To make sure none of them get pulled away midway, no other official meetings or programmes are supposed to be scheduled during these hours — the goal is that whoever shows up with a complaint actually gets heard by someone who can act on it.
How to Attend — Is Registration Required?
No. This is one of the biggest differences between Janatar Darbar and most government grievance systems: there’s no online form, no prior appointment, and no registration process. You simply show up at your local district or block office on a Tuesday or Thursday between 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM.
✅ It’s worth carrying any documents related to your complaint — earlier applications, receipts, ID proof — so the official can look into it on the spot instead of asking you to come back.
Where to Check the Exact Schedule and Officials’ Contact Details
The days and timing are fixed statewide, but the specific officials on duty and their contact numbers can vary from office to office. These details — including mobile numbers and email IDs — are meant to be displayed on notice boards at government offices and published on official department websites, so it’s worth checking with your local office beforehand.
If your issue can’t wait for the next Tuesday or Thursday, West Bengal also offers two other channels: the Chief Minister’s Office grievance platform at cmo.wb.gov.in, and the citizen helpline Apnar Sarkar Apnar Pashe on the toll-free number 82820 82820 (Monday–Saturday, 9 AM–6 PM), which also accepts complaints by email.
Is This the Same as CM Suvendu Adhikari’s Janata Darbar?
Not quite — and it’s easy to mix the two up since they share a name. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has been holding his own weekly “Janata Darbar” at the BJP state office in Salt Lake since May 2026, where he personally hears grievances from people who travel there to meet him. The Janatar Darbar covered in this guide is a separate, broader administrative programme: it runs at every district and block office across the state, conducted by local officials rather than the Chief Minister himself.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Janatar Darbar in West Bengal?
It’s a twice-weekly public hearing held at government offices across West Bengal, where citizens can bring grievances directly to district and block-level officials without an appointment.
2. On which days is Janatar Darbar held?
Every Tuesday and Thursday, from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
3. Do I need to register before attending?
No. You can walk in directly — no registration or prior appointment is needed.
4. Where is Janatar Darbar held?
At government offices at the district and block level across West Bengal, not at one central venue.
5. Which officials will I be able to meet?
Depending on the office, you can expect the District Magistrate, Municipal Commissioner, BDO, SDO, or senior police officials to be present.
6. Is this the same programme as the CM’s Janata Darbar?
No. This is a state-wide administrative programme held at government offices, while the CM’s Janata Darbar is a separate outreach event held at the BJP office in Salt Lake.
Note: Janatar Darbar is a newly introduced programme and the rollout is still settling in across offices. For the latest schedule and the officials on duty in your area, check your local government office’s notice board or its official website.