The Times of India 28.05.2013
Corporations log out of Facebook
NEW DELHI: The impact of Facebook cannot be overestimated but our municipal corporations think otherwise. After trifurcation, all three corporations were active on the social networking site but for the past six months, there has been no response.
North and East corporation officials are of the view that Facebook initiative wasn't successful and have opted to start a call centre. "We did upload circulars but the response hasn't been very good. Not everyone has access to Internet," said V P Pandey, chairman, DEMS committee, North corporation.
The maintenance of the Facebook page lies with DEMS department as it addresses sanitation-related problems. North corporation uploaded circulars related to pension, notices from Director Local Bodies and those related to property tax.
"Since trifurcation, the post to look after the Facebook page has not been filled. Starting a call centre is a better option than updating the page. East corporation has already started a call centre and we are also planning one. Everyone has a landline," said Pandey.
The last time there was a response on Facebook from the corporation was in September 2012. While officials say the response has been poor, people have been posting complaints regularly. The last complaint was posted on South corporation's page on May 12.
Even the councillors were surprised by corporation's response. "The residents of my area regularly post on my Facebook page and the site has helped me connect with the locals. It is surprising that the officials believe Facebook isn't doing much," said Abhishek Dutt, Andrews Ganj councillor.
South corporation officials say with limited resources and no official to maintain the page, they are unable to respond to the queries. "However, the complaints are forwarded to the department concerned. Earlier, our staff used to upload photos of cleaned dhalaos or action taken on the complaint. We do not do it anymore as we are struggling with staff shortage," said Mukesh Yadav, spokesperson, South corporation.
The corporations were also mulling the proposal to give Android phones to its sanitation inspectors so that they can upload photos of clean dhalaos. But due to shortage of funds, the plan never took off.
