In a unique citizen-driven governance move, the Government of Bihar has launched the “Gaddha Batao, ₹5,000 Pao” initiative starting today. Under this scheme, residents who report a verified pothole on state roads will receive a reward of ₹5,000.
The initiative aims to improve road infrastructure, ensure quicker pothole repairs, and enhance commuter safety across Bihar. By directly involving citizens in monitoring road conditions, the government seeks to create greater accountability and faster response mechanisms.
Officials stated that once a pothole is reported and verified by the concerned department, corrective measures will be initiated promptly, and the reporting citizen will be eligible for the financial reward.
The move reflects Bihar’s attempt to adopt participatory governance models where citizens become active stakeholders in infrastructure maintenance. Poor road conditions and potholes often lead to accidents, traffic disruptions, and vehicle damage — issues the scheme intends to address more efficiently.
With this initiative, Bihar joins a growing list of states experimenting with incentive-based reporting systems to strengthen transparency and service delivery.
In a move widely being hailed as empathetic and progressive, the Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) has issued a circular mandating leave for all police personnel on their birthdays and wedding anniversaries.
The order, dated January 29, underscores the importance of allowing officers and staff to spend quality time with their families, highlighting that emotional well-being plays a crucial role in enhancing morale, reducing stress, and improving overall job satisfaction.
According to the circular, all unit officers across the state have been directed to grant this special leave without exception. Unit heads have been made directly responsible for ensuring strict implementation of the directive, reinforcing accountability within the system.
The DGP’s note also points out that a motivated and mentally balanced police force is essential for maintaining discipline, efficiency, and professionalism in service. By acknowledging the personal sacrifices made by police personnel—who often work long hours under stressful and demanding conditions—the initiative aims to build trust, loyalty, and a stronger sense of belonging within the force.
The decision has been widely viewed as a humanitarian gesture, setting an example for other departments to prioritise employee welfare alongside operational efficiency. Many see this as a reminder that compassionate leadership can go a long way in strengthening institutions.
New Delhi: Goa’s Minister for Drinking Water, Subhash Phal Dessai, today attended the Minister-level Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Operation and Maintenance of Rural Drinking Water Services held in New Delhi. The dialogue brought together policymakers from across the country to deliberate on strengthening rural water supply systems and ensuring their long-term sustainability.
During the interaction, Subhash Phal Dessai highlighted Goa’s efforts to improve rural drinking water infrastructure and sought Central Government support for strengthening and developing water supply systems across the state.
The Minister also had a strong interaction with C. R. Patil, Union Minister for Jal Shakti, discussing policy support, operational challenges, and opportunities to enhance rural water service delivery in Goa.
The participation reflects Goa’s proactive approach towards ensuring reliable, sustainable, and efficient drinking water services for rural communities, aligned with national water security goals.
Goa Legislators’ Day will be celebrated on January 9 at the Secretariat, marking an important occasion that honours the contribution of legislators in shaping the democratic and legislative framework of the State.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant will address the function, highlighting the role of elected representatives in strengthening governance, democratic values, and public service delivery in Goa. The event is expected to bring together legislators, senior government officials, and members of the administration.
The programme will also feature J M Vyas, Vice Chancellor of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU), Gujarat, as the guest speaker. His address is expected to focus on contemporary governance challenges, institutional strengthening, and the evolving role of policy and law in ensuring transparency and accountability.
Goa Legislators’ Day serves as a platform to reflect on the responsibilities of lawmakers and to reaffirm the State’s commitment to democratic ideals, effective legislation, and people-centric governance.
The annual observance underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between policymakers and institutions in guiding Goa’s progress and development.
Justice-related work in Goa is often carried out in isolation, with communities, organisations and institutions addressing similar social issues without sufficient coordination. This observation emerged during the Design for Justice programme held at the Museum of Goa (MOG) in January 2026 as part of the MOG Sundays series. The two-day programme created a shared space for dialogue, reflection and collaboration among stakeholders working across Goa’s justice landscape.
Bringing together civil society organisations, students, designers, researchers and practitioners, the programme focused on how people-centred and design-led approaches can help shape more inclusive and accessible justice systems. Discussions centred on mapping existing justice-related efforts in the state, sharing community-led interventions and identifying opportunities for collaboration across sectors.
Aditi Nayak, research associate at Justice Adda, explained that the programme grew out of reflections following the 2023 Design for Justice Conference in Goa. While there is a significant amount of justice-related work happening across the state, the absence of shared platforms often leads to fragmented efforts. The aim, she said, was to slow down, bring these efforts into conversation with one another and begin identifying shared priorities rooted in lived community experiences.
Participants presented initiatives addressing a wide range of issues, including environmental protection, land rights, mental health, gender justice, tribal rights, governance and the social impact of emerging technologies. Although the focus areas varied, many initiatives were grounded in everyday realities — from coastal communities responding to ecological degradation to residents navigating governance and legal processes that directly affect their lives.
The programme featured voices from law, academia, human rights, environmental advocacy and technology. Speakers such as Asawari Nayak, advocate Aurobindo Gomes Pereira, human rights activist Cyril Fernandes, environmental lawyer Sreeja Chakraborty, technology practitioner Karn Malhotra, Maya de Souza and former Children’s Court judge Sayonara Tellis Laad shared insights drawn from their professional and community-based work. Their discussions examined how justice is encountered beyond courtrooms and policies, in daily interactions with systems and institutions.
Drawing from Justice Adda’s approach, Aditi highlighted the importance of focusing on how people experience justice in practice. Visual tools, storytelling and design methods, she noted, can help simplify complex legal information, making it more accessible and usable for communities, and bridging gaps between institutions and the people they are meant to serve.
A recurring theme throughout the sessions was the understanding of justice as an ecosystem rather than the responsibility of any single sector. Participants pointed to challenges such as limited resources, barriers within governance systems, difficulties in sustaining long-term work and insider–outsider dynamics. At the same time, the conversations underscored the need for better coordination, shared resources and sustained engagement among communities, civil society organisations, institutions and young practitioners.
Organisers said the programme aimed to lay the groundwork for future collaboration, with the relationships and ideas formed during the two days expected to inform more coordinated, inclusive and community-responsive approaches to justice in Goa.
