New Delhi, July 8 (IANS): Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday directed senior officials of all state government departments to hold "janata samvad" (public dialogue)" between 12 noon and 1 p.m. on weekdays.

"Principal secretaries/secretaries/HoDs should remain available for hearing the people (on their complaints and grievances) between 12 noon and 1 p.m. on weekdays. Janata samvad should be a top priority of the officials and they should not avoid it," the Deputy CM said during a meeting with senior officers of the Delhi government.

He said that even if the chief minister or his deputy or any other minister called the officers during the public hearing time, they must not leave the meeting to their second-in-command but try to reschedule the meeting with the chief minister and his ministerial colleagues.

He also directed that in case a secretary-level official was not available, the senior-most officer of the department should meet the general public.

"A record of the representations received and their outcome thereof shall be maintained in each department," Sisodia said.