The Times of India 05.09.2013
Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation launches page on social networking site
PUNE: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation launched its page on the social networking site Facebook on Wednesday in its efforts to reach out to people through social media.
The civic body has claimed that it is the first municipal corporation in the state to start such an initiative. Municipal commissioner Shrikar Pardeshi said, "Social media has become an effective means of transmission and information. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation also launched its Facebook page yesterday (Tuesday)," he said.
Pardeshi said Pimpri Chinchwad has a population of 19 lakh and is the fastest growing city in the state. A large number of young people work in the Talawade IT Park and Hinjewadi IT Park and they use social media as a means of communication. The page will prove important in disseminating information about civic schemes and policies, for instance the amnesty scheme for water bills and the policy regarding unauthorised constructions, he said.
An officer of the rank of assistant commissioner will be responsible for posting information on the page. The civic body will also be able to get feedback from the citizens about its schemes, projects and services. A five-member team of civic officials and IT professionals contributed to the successful launch of the Facebook page, Pardeshi added.
Mayor Mohini Lande said the page would help create awareness about civic projects and schemes.
Earlier, members of the standing committee and some corporators had been upset about the launch of the civic body's citizens' helpline. They said people would directly contact the officials for redressal of their complaints instead of approaching corporators.
The civic body is trying to use newer technologies to reach people.
The complaints submitted by citizens through the helpline and Facebook page will be redressed and civic officials who do not perform their duties properly will be punished."
