Date:15/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/15/stories/2007031507130500.htm

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Karnataka - Bidar

No more running from pillar to post with complaints

Staff Correspondent

Computerised system helps in speedy redress of grievances

Bidar first district to computerise grievance redress system

73 p.c. cases attended to in 119 days

EASY REACH: The Spandana centre at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Bidar.

Bidar: A neighbour of Pandit Manikappa (name changed) built a gate on the road leading to his house, blocking entry to the front door. But he did not have to go in for a long and expensive legal battle, thanks to the computerised public grievance redress system in the district.

The City Municipal Council acted upon a petition submitted by the farmer in the Deputy Commissioner's office, and the gate constructed illegally waa demolished.

Bidar has become the first district in the State to computerise the public grievance redress system. This single window agency also acts as the Right to Information Centre for the district.

The "spandana system" ensures that people have to come to the Deputy Commissioner's office only once, and approach only one official at a counter. They are spared of the trouble of coming to the office many times and tracking their file. It also ensures transparency and help curb corruption.

In the 119 days the spandana system has been operational, 73 per cent of the grievances received have been redressed.

"We have disposed of 314 of the 428 applications received. Some cases are pending because they are out of our purview or because of technical reasons," says Deputy Commissioner Munish Moudgil. An interesting features of the system is that people who approach this single window agency are given a fixed date of delivery or disposal on receipt of the application. "We have met the deadlines in 90 per cent of the cases," Mr. Moudgil said.

There are four counters that receive 23 types of applications and grievances. People can get their problems solved, and also get documents such as caste certificates, excise and gun licences, and land revenue records. They can also get information about various departments under the Right to Information Act. The centre is manned by a Deputy Tahsildar and four clerks. Police personnel are also posted at the centre to coordinate with the Police department with regard to granting of gun licence and other issues.

The applicants are provided a checklist of documents. All transactions, except in cases where the Government has prescribed a fee, are free of cost.