The Chief Officer of Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has provided a WhatsApp number to the citizens on the second day of taking charge so that people can highlight their grievances and bring to the notice of the municipal authorities any illegalities being carried out. It is believed that this facility received a good response and within just two days, twenty citizens had sent WhatsApp messages highlighting their grievances and illegalities which were addressed immediately or are being verified. This is a step in the right direction as senior citizens and those with disabilities find it difficult to visit the municipality to address their difficulties. In these times of the pandemic, it is also not advisable for people to crowd the municipal offices in order to get their work done. As payments can be done online, in a similar way the internet should be made full use of to address the grievances of the citizens by the civic body. Other municipalities and panchayats also need to introduce a dedicated WhatsApp number so that people can get in touch with the authorities from the safety of their homes. Citizens can also remind the authorities of their complaints through WhatsApp messages. This will ensure time-bound delivery of service by the civic bodies.
