SHILLONG, OCT 8: Taking advantage of the latest technology, the West Jaintia hills district administration has set-up the first of its public grievance redress mechanism based on ‘Whatsapp’, a mobile application used by almost all the citizens.
West Jaintia hills deputy commissioner Arunkumar Kembhavi announced in a a statement on Thursday, “ Citizen having any complaints may drop a text message, an audio message or a video message on Whatsapp to special BSNL number +91 94363 94363.”
He said the complaints may vary from delay in obtaining various certificates, localities not getting electricity/water, non-removal of garbage. “If any citizen comes across a poor quality mid-day meal served in any government school he may attach a photo of the meal and send it to the number,” he said.
He said citizens can also complain about substandard works in any government building construction or rural roads/highways construction works and they may make video of the potholes in any roads and send it across.
“Citizen may also upload the newspaper item/clipping pertaining to any specific department. A police constable taking money from truck driver on the national highways, absenteeism in government offices, schools, hospitals, gas agencies delivering cylinders on point locations so on and so forth. Possibilities are unlimited. It is up to the creativity level of an individual to see that up to what extent he/she is willing to take the benefit of this system,” the DC said.
He said if there are any discrepancies in the National Food Security Act ration cards, he may upload the photos of the ration card and the supporting documents. If found correct, a new card will be issued.
When a citizen sends a complaint message, it will be forwarded to a closed group called,” he informed.
Informing that all the members of the District Coordination Committee are the members of this group, he said, “When a message is sent to this group, the concerned line department officer shall take action and shall update the Deputy Commissioner on the action taken.”
The same will be informed to the complainant, he said adding that efforts will be made to address the issues in a time bound manner and fix responsibility on the line department.
Citizens can lodge their complaints in any language Pnar, Khasi or English.
People who do not have whatsapp in their phones may choose to send a simple SMS as well. Same priority will be accorded to SMSs too, he added.
In order to prevent some people misusing this system, by vexatious complaints, by spamming, by sending good morning/goodnight wishes, their numbers will be permanently blocked. Call facility is also not available on this number. Whatsapp and SMS are the only ways through which public can lodge complaints.
“ Whatsapp platform can also be used to suggest ways and means to improve the public delivery systems in government departments. In other words, it acts as a virtual suggestion box,” the DC said.
For those who want to lodge complaints through Facebook, the district administration has opened a new Facebook page “DC Jowai”. News items related to West Jaintia hills will be regularly updated on the Facebook page.
This mechanism will eschew the need for the citizens to come to DC office. Sitting at home they can get their grievance redressed, he said.
He requests all citizens/netizens of West Jaintia hills district to take advantage of this mechanism initiated by the district administration.- By Our Reporter
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