Ranchi mayor-elect Roshni Khalkho, who won by over 14,000 votes against Cong-backed Rama Khalkho, is a 2002 arts graduate from Ranchi University and has been actively engaged in civic and social work sinc then. She speaks to Shikha Yadav on her priorities and plans for the capital city. Excerpts: You have promised an administrative overhaul with ward-level civic offices. How will the system function differently from the current setup?My focus is decentralisation. People should not have to stand in long queues at the Ranchi Municipal Corporation officer for basic services. Each ward will have a modern civic karyalaya to process certificates, licences and complaints locally. These offices will also initiate small public works. This will reduce delays, increase transparency and ensure faster, accountable service delivery. Women’s safety has been a key part of your campaign. What concrete steps will you take?I have already discussed the issue of night patrolling by women police personnel with Union minister Sanjay Seth and will take the matter forward with the state govt. Regular patrolling in areas around hostels and coaching hubs is essential. I will also push for CCTV installation in by-lanes and sensitive zones. These proposals will be formally raised in the upcoming board meetings. You are known as ‘Scooty Didi’ for your work during Covid-19 pandemic. How has that experience shaped your leadership approach?During the pandemic, I worked diligently with my team. In the first half, we cooked and served food to 300-400 needy people daily. Later, we distributed dry ration kits, delivered medicines and oxygen cylinders to the elderly, and even provided sanitary pads to girls. That experience strengthened my belief that leadership means direct service, empathy and quick response in times of crisis. How will you ensure smooth governance and handle the RMC administration effectively?I have served as a councillor for 10 years and have learned how to coordinate effectively with the administration. I believe in working collectively and building consensus. My effort will be to maintain harmony between elected representatives and officials, because ultimately we all share one goal: betterment and development of Ranchi through transparent and efficient governance.
