The Hindu             25.06.2013

GHMC scores a high on citizen’s charter 

The GHMC became the first public institution to go for a citizen’s charter with clearly demarcated timeframes for issuing certificates, giving permissions or solving public grievances. Penalties have been indicated ranging from Rs. 50 to Rs. 100 a day on officials responsible for delay in services and the same will be collected from their salaries.

Commissioner M.T. Krishna Babu told presspersons on Monday that the government had accepted the revised citizen’s charter submitted by the municipal corporation and had issued orders few days ago. Altogether, 39 services have been incorporated in the charter.

Transparent services

“The objective is to provide transparent and time-bound services to the public except in cases where there are court cases,” said Mr. Krishna Babu. He pointed out that citizens grievances and services have already been addressed through the round-the-clock call centre, citizen service centres, MeeSeva apart from the online services.

But, there were also complaints about false information being conveyed claiming some work to have been done or a grievance attended to when it was not so. Training programme was conducted for all department heads and senior officials while circle level training programmes would also be conducted for creating awareness.

Disciplinary action

Disciplinary action would also be initiated against a defaulting officer who have paid fine at least three times a year.

Similarly, persons responsible failing to pay the fines imposed would also be punished. Citizen’s Charter boards are going to be displayed in the zonal/circle offices and at the head office for public awareness, he added.