The Hindu 29.11.2013
Thanjavur civic body’s SMS initiative catching up
Lodging complaints using Short Message Service (SMS) to
Thanjavur Municipality on various civic issues is becoming popular among
people of Thanjavur Municipal area if one goes by the number of
complaints received by the municipality through SMS.
The
service, with a view to provide instant solution to the problems of the
people and to minimise their time and visiting municipal office many
times, was introduced on October 5.
According to N.
Ravichandran, Municipal Commissioner, 150 complaints have so far been
received through SMS from people. Of them, solutions had been provided
to 128 complaints. These include 59 streetlight problems (all the lights
have been repaired), 13 related to solid waste management, three
related to mosquito menace, 15 related to drinking water problems, 14
about the main drinking water pipeline, eight related to underground
drainage and 16 related to stagnation of sewage water.
“All these complaints have been attended to and rectified,” Mr. Ravichandran said.
Twenty two complaints remain pending. They were related to dog and cattle menace.
“Animal
Welfare Board has framed certain rules and regulations with respect to
dealing with stray animals. We have to follow them and hence delay in
providing solutions to these issues. It will be done after discussing
with veterinary doctors and Society for Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals,” Mr. Ravichandran said.
Demand for new roads and new streetlights will be attended to depending upon the availability of funds, he added.
“SMS
has come in handy for people to lodge complaints. Previously they used
to give written complaints at the service centre at the municipal
office, give petitions at the weekly grievances day held at the
collectorate on every Monday, and through postal or e-mail to municipal
office. SMS service has made things easy for them. Every SMS will be
attended to,” said Savithiri Gopal, chairperson of Thanjavur
Municipality.