Boarding any train operated by Indian Railways,only to find the service & journey inconvenient? Before shifting to other modes of transport or a higher class of train travel, give the grievance redressal mechanism at the centre ( pgportal.gov.in) a try. It serves a variety of purpose.
My first hand experience with Public Grievance Redressal mechanisms, both at the Centre & the State (cmcell.tngov.in), gives me an enthralled feeling that my words are being taken into consideration even during non-election times. How would you feel when a senior technical engineer from otherwise customer unfriendly public sector undertaking, BSNL, politely respond to your prepaid mobile phone connectivity problem,by personally inspecting the problem site,& also reasoning out with you being a complainant.
During recent Chennai Floods(December 2015), TamilNadu Electricity Board(TNEB) immediately restored power supply,after 3 days of non-supply, when a neighbour preferred a complaint directly with TNEB. My online representation regarding frequent voltage fluctuations was also appropriately disposed off by the TNEB authorities within a short period of time.
Although my complaint about mobile phone apps such as Flipkart,Facebook etc accessing my Contacts list & thereby risking the privacy of all my contactees is kept unresolved citing 'Policy Decision under consideration ', invariably there is some interest or more relevantly some pressure from Higher Authorities to dispose off the petitions on time. The recent direction from the Prime Minister's Office(PMO) to all concerned ministries to dispose off public grievances within 60 days is a case in point. Empowered citizens could enlighten democracy by making the public administration accountable. Participation in politics does not necessarily mean we should mandatorily cast our vote. A mobile phone with internet connection, a few minutes of our time are perhaps of some relevance.
My first hand experience with Public Grievance Redressal mechanisms, both at the Centre & the State (cmcell.tngov.in), gives me an enthralled feeling that my words are being taken into consideration even during non-election times. How would you feel when a senior technical engineer from otherwise customer unfriendly public sector undertaking, BSNL, politely respond to your prepaid mobile phone connectivity problem,by personally inspecting the problem site,& also reasoning out with you being a complainant.
During recent Chennai Floods(December 2015), TamilNadu Electricity Board(TNEB) immediately restored power supply,after 3 days of non-supply, when a neighbour preferred a complaint directly with TNEB. My online representation regarding frequent voltage fluctuations was also appropriately disposed off by the TNEB authorities within a short period of time.
Although my complaint about mobile phone apps such as Flipkart,Facebook etc accessing my Contacts list & thereby risking the privacy of all my contactees is kept unresolved citing 'Policy Decision under consideration ', invariably there is some interest or more relevantly some pressure from Higher Authorities to dispose off the petitions on time. The recent direction from the Prime Minister's Office(PMO) to all concerned ministries to dispose off public grievances within 60 days is a case in point. Empowered citizens could enlighten democracy by making the public administration accountable. Participation in politics does not necessarily mean we should mandatorily cast our vote. A mobile phone with internet connection, a few minutes of our time are perhaps of some relevance.
