Swachhata Mobile Application launched by the Centre during the ‘Swachhata Sarvekshan - 2016’ as one of the key tool to ensure cleanliness has just failed to create its impact on the city residents.
All thanks to the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) that has miserably failed to deliver any good despite having an option of a good mechanism to check sanitation and upgrade the status of solid waste disposal system here in Capital City. More worrying is to know that despite of being slashed down twice in the ‘Swachhata Sarvekshan’ competition, none of the officials at the civic body even now seemed concerned about this.
When enquired about the ‘Swachhata’ application status and about the grievance redressal mechanism, if any, formed to deal with the complaints registered through this mobile application, none of the officials, elected representatives including City Managers were able to put their stance or quote something substantial. No individual at RMC have an answer as on what ground complaints are being dealt or else the app is lying defunct.
Annoyed with the approach of the Municipal Corporation team, several city residents are of the opinion that even posting details and the pictures of garbage strewn spots, RMC personnel hardly responds on time taking an initiative to clean the mess. Moreover, there are thousands of people in city who even after one year of the mobile application launch are unfamiliar about it.
Interestingly, keeping aside all the checks and parameters, the Municipal Corporation, at present, is just busy constructing toilets to fulfil the target of Open Defecation Free (ODF). “At a time, the Civic body can handle one major task only considering the human resource crunch. As just one month is left to declare all the wards ODF, every officer is engaged in this,” said, Mayor Asha lakra.
Ironically, the Civic Body has kept no official documentation of the total number of the citizens who have downloaded the mobile application by far this year. Considering the past records, the Mayor said that approximately 14 thousand city residents have downloaded the application and soon a strategy will be formulated to popularize it.
“I am not sure about this year’s record. But, the team has been instructed to track the details and resolve all the complaints in stimulated time. If grievances are not being addressed, action will be taken against the officials. I will immediately disseminate this information among the concerned officials,” added lakra.
This android mobile app enables a citizen to post civic issues which is dealt by the Municipal Corporation team. Pictorial depiction of garbage dumped on streets, unclean dustbins, sweeping not done, pictures of dead animals lying on busiest avenues, blockage including condition of public toilets can be sent easily.
The mobile app captures the location while the picture is being taken. An individual can also get regular updates on status of the complaint and the ‘Resolved’ image uploaded by the assigned sanitary in-charge once the complaints have been resolved. Its unique features also allow the appellants to compile the feedback details and sent.