If the streetlights go out in Labony or EC Block, residents need no longer call up the ward office to make a complaint. They can simply do so through their ward’s personalised mobile app.
Tulsi Sinha Roy, councillor of Ward 40 that comprises blocks CD, DD, EC, DC as well as Labony Estate and P&T Quarters, has just launched a mobile app Jan Pariseva that will help residents keep in touch with her as well report complaints and make suggestions.
“Most people in Salt Lake have smart phones and when they use it to do everything from transfer money to order dinner, then why not use it for civic services?” said Sinha Roy, who paid for the app from her personal funds. “I believe in being close to my residents and this would give them the feeling that I’m right beside them.”
The app will provide information on Aadhar card, digital ration card, passport application, property tax etc. Daily notifications will include, perhaps, pictures of mosquito fogging, as and when they are done. One can also advertise (free of cost) looking for or applying for jobs in the ward.
There will also be a section on the councillor’s profile, educational and professional background and her availability. “For instance, it will show the timings I will be available on a particular day at the ward office next to CD Park. I shall soon start sitting at EC Market too and the corresponding timings will be provided,” says Sinha Roy.
The soft launch of the app took place about 10 ago and its hoardings can be seen across the ward. “But the real marketing will begin on Tuesday, when we send leaflets door to door,” the councillor on Monday. “But I am delighted to see that a resident of CD 122, Debashis Dey, communicated with me on the app on December 2 itself. He was the first one to do so.”
Dey wrote in the complaint section about streetlights not working in his lane and about cables wires stooping too low. “I immediately replied that I would check on the lights and cables, being out of my jurisdiction, asked him to contact his cable provider,” said Sinha Roy. Complaints can be made anonymously too and in categories like water, road, drainage etc.
While the councillor expects great response from the youth, she is confident about senior citizens’ participation too. “The elderly in Salt Lake have children settled abroad and regularly make video calls to them on their smart phones. The app will be simple and useful for them,” she said.
