Introduction: Governance with Transparency, Not Just Policy

In India’s vast bureaucratic system, accountability is often lost in paperwork and delayed communication. However, IAS Sanjeev Jaiswal, in his role as Vice President & CEO of MHADA, is quietly creating a new model—public-facing, transparent, and citizen-driven governance.

His reforms at the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) have set a new standard for institutional transparency, something rarely seen at this scale in Indian public administration.

1. Introducing Accountability at the Ground Level

When Jaiswal assumed leadership at MHADA, one of his first goals was to bring the organization closer to the people. To do this, he:

• Revived the "Lokshahi Din" mechanism — a monthly open forum where citizens can directly present housing-related grievances to top MHADA officials.
• Mandated timely replies to public complaints filed through online portals or physical submissions.
• Deployed public dashboards that track the status of housing schemes, redevelopments, and allocations—openly available for scrutiny.

This approach isn't theoretical—it's data-backed and citizen-tested.

2. Computerized Lotteries: Reducing Bias, Building Trust

Historically, housing allotments were often seen as opaque. But Jaiswal’s tech-first and rule-bound approach has changed this narrative.

• All MHADA lotteries are now fully computerized, monitored by third-party technical committees and livestreamed for public viewing.
• Recently, the Siddharth Nagar (Patra Chawl) redevelopment project held a transparent draw where 672 beneficiaries were selected in real time—watched by the applicants themselves.
• The system uses randomization algorithms and eliminates any manual intervention, building credibility and reducing litigation.

3. Real-Time Response: The Janata Darbar Model

In cities like Nashik, Aurangabad, and Mumbai, Jaiswal has launched district-level Janata Darbars—localized complaint redressal events where officials meet directly with citizens.

These events are not symbolic:

• Officers must issue a resolution receipt within 15 days.
• Follow-up calls ensure that complainants are satisfied.
• Over 85% of issues raised in such forums have been resolved within a month.
  
  

Jaiswal believes that “Public feedback is the most accurate audit report”—a statement he backs with timely action.

4. Making Bureaucracy Digitally Accessible

Another hallmark of Jaiswal’s accountability reform is digital transparency. Under his leadership:

• “Book My Home” portals allow citizens to track housing availability, apply for schemes, and receive updates online.
• A dedicated SMS alert system ensures beneficiaries—especially the elderly or digitally illiterate—get real-time information on allotments and updates.
• Architectural layouts and tender details of redevelopment projects are published publicly, reducing scope for misinformation.

This has allowed MHADA to move from being just a housing authority to a citizen engagement platform.

5. Public Audit-Friendly Infrastructure

Jaiswal’s reforms have led to structured, audit-compliant processes within MHADA:

• Quarterly performance reviews of housing projects are made public.
• Funds disbursed to societies under redevelopment—₹129 crore in rent since 2018—are now posted in official reports with project-wise breakups.
• Third-party construction quality checks are made available for scrutiny by RTI applicants and even housing society members.

This openness builds not only legal compliance but community trust.

6. Training the System, Not Just Changing It

Recognizing that long-term transparency cannot depend on one person alone, Jaiswal has institutionalized reforms:

• All MHADA employees now undergo mandatory training on RTI norms, citizen charter implementation, and digital filing protocols.
• Internal audits now include public grievance resolution metrics as a key performance indicator.
  
  

He emphasizes a system where “Accountability is embedded, not enforced.”

Conclusion: A Roadmap for Transparent Governance

While public trust in bureaucracy often wavers, leaders like IAS Sanjeev Jaiswal are showing that change is possible—even within legacy systems. Through policies rooted in visibility, speed, and direct access, he is redefining how public institutions interact with people.

MHADA, under his watch, is no longer just constructing homes—it is building confidence, one transparent act at a time. As India inches toward more open governance, Jaiswal’s leadership offers a model that others can follow: less opacity, more ownership.