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| P.Balan, RDO |
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Different from the faceless bureaucrats one often meets, Revenue Divisional Officer P.Balan takes the concept of official duty to new heights with his impartial and honest approach. And it is a measure of his credibility with the common man that he is acceptable to both sides of communal divide, be it at Nadapuram or now at Marad.
As a Government representative, he has to communicate even unpleasant decisions to both the Araya Samajam and the refugees. But their ire was not directed against him even when the decisions were against them. People and their political representatives see in him the willingness to give a patient hearing to their grievances and the readiness to rush to the trouble spot on all occasions even beyond the mere duty of a Government servant.
His successful peace initiative in Nadapuram had earned him a good service entry. He was honoured for his contributions at an all-party function organised in Nadapuram.
51-year-old Balan accepts the praises with a smile. “I think I could do certain things in a proper way as my conscience and position permitted, and nothing more,” he says.
This Government officer, who is willing to risk more than what his official obligation asks for, was earlier Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition) at the Kozhikode Collectorate before being appointed RDO in November 2000. A law degree holder, Balan had his education at Malabar Christian College and Government Law College, Kozhikode.
Courtesy: Salim Joseph, The New Indian Express, October 15, 2003
Contributed by: Administrator
