RMC to start helpline to get info on ongoing illegal construction

Rajkot, 14 June, 2014

New Chairman of Standing Committee of Rajkot Municipal Corporation(RMC), Nitin Bhardwaj on Friday said that RMC will start a 24-hour helpline to get information on illegal constructions. While taking charge of his office, Bhardwaj said any person will be able to give information about ongoing illegal construction on helpline number. Names of complainant will be kept secret. He said the number will be announced soon.

Bhardwaj said he will strictly implement the Hyderabad model of e-governance in RMC. In the past RMC Commissioner had activated a software in RMC after his Hyderabad Municipal Corporation visit.

If executed properly the software ensures that complaints are timely resolved and cleared at lowest possible level. If complaints are not resolved in time-bound manner, they are forwarded to higher level. The higher level officer can monitor complaints not resolved at lower level and make noting in service book. Though activated in RMC, the software is not taken seriously at present, and no actions are taken based on its report.

Author’s note: This is interesting example. A software based system is good. It provides details, expose lethargy and fix accountability. But until and unless the actions are not taken by living humans (in suitable cases: against living humans) software doesn’t prove useful. About helpline, it’s good idea, but again, once information is received, the immediate task on hand will be about taking actions.