Bhubaneswar, June 21: The Odisha government on Thursday asked all District Collectors to instruct officers concerned to take early and appropriate action on public grievances received through social media.

According an official, the state government receives a lot of grievances from various quarters through various social media accounts through Twitter and Facebook, and these are being forwarded to Additional District Magistrates (ADM), sub-Collectors and Tehsildars concerned for taking appropriate action in the matter.

In a letter to District Collectors, Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary Chandra Sekhar Kumar said that it was seen that the grievances so intimated to officers concerned are not being attended to properly, and piling up at that level.

Inaction on the part of the officials concerned is being flagged in the social media by the same applicant and is causing huge embarrassment to the government, he said, adding social media is becoming an integral part of good governance as it is an easy and dependable channel for communication at every level and allows people to give feedback on various governmental initiatives.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has also given emphasis on the use of social media for redressal of peoples' grievances, said Kumar.

"You are, therefore, requested to instruct the ADMs and officers concerned under your administration to take early and appropriate action on the public grievances received through social media and ensure that the action so taken must also be intimated to this department," he said.

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Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that the government will formulate a Comprehensive Coastal Tourism Development Plan to utilise the tourism potential of Karnataka’s coastal districts.

Presenting the 2026–27 state budget in the Legislative Assembly, Siddaramaiah said connectivity between major coastal tourism destinations will be enhanced through Sea Plane and Heli Taxi services in collaboration with aviation and water adventure tourism partners. Joy Ride and River Cruise activities will also be promoted as part of the initiative.

The Chief Minister also announced measures to improve the overall experience of tourists visiting the state. An amount of Rs 1 crore will be allocated to provide soft skills training to taxi drivers, auto drivers and security personnel to enhance professionalism while interacting with visitors. A diploma course will also be introduced in selected universities to provide skill training for tourist guides.

To strengthen tourism infrastructure, the Gadag–Kappatagudda–Lakkundi tourism circuit will be developed. In Chikkamagaluru district, a ropeway will be constructed between Mullayanagiri–Seethalayyanagiri and Kaimara under the PPP model to promote tourism in the region.

Siddaramaiah said Rs 10 crore will be allocated for the development of integrated infrastructure under the Karnataka Exhibition Authority. In order to protect the state’s heritage sites, 1,000 monument volunteers will be identified and trained to help conserve 844 protected monuments and around 1,000 unprotected monuments. These volunteers will be included in the department’s recognised list.

The government has also prepared a comprehensive plan worth Rs 100 crore to develop Anjanadri Hill as a globally recognised tourist destination. The works will be taken up on priority after securing forest and environmental clearances from the Government of India and approval from UNESCO, he said.