The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Officials' response not encouraging

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 06, 2006
ePaper

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Officials' response not encouraging

The Hindu Team

BANGALORE: The delay in redressal of grievances on individual complaints by various civic agencies has forced residents' associations to seek relief collectively. They say the response has not been encouraging though some routine grievances get redressed after a series of follow-ups.

The officials often do not attend to individual grievances, laments Jayamahal Citizens' Forum president Vasudevan. The response from lower officials, especially in Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP), has not been encouraging. The less "empowered" the resident, the more difficult the process of getting heard. For poor residents or those who are less educated, the procedures of complaint cumbersome, he adds.

Malleswaram Swabhimana Initiative (MSI) president Sumati Rao says the monthly review meeting with officials of various civic agencies has not been of much help, as officials who participate do not have the decision-making powers.

Smaller problems are addressed faster, she says, while redressal of bigger problems take their own time. The issue of water contamination in Malleswaram was solved only after the BWSSB Chairman intervened. "Is it necessary to go higher officials to get small grievances redressed?" she asked.

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