Drive to bring 56 civic services closer to people

​Hyderabad: Nearly 250 networks, civil society organisations, resident welfare associations (RWAs), faith groups, schools, colleges and business establishments across twin cities have decided to coordinate in bringing awareness amongst citizens and to build bridge between administration and general public towards easing 56 civic services reach people in time. 

This time faith-based organisations International Sikh Centre, Jamat-e-Islami-Hind, Zoarastrian Trust, Jamait-e-Ulema, Brahama Kumaris, Al Mahad-ul-Ali-Islami, All India Milli Council, APSSF and Arya Prathinidhi Sabha extended support and collaborating with the campaign. Coordinated and facilitated by Confederation of Voluntary Associations (COVA), this campaign, which has a target to reach 5 lakh Hyderabadis, will bring together GHMC, water works and electricity department. The programme was launched on Saturday on the occasion of 70th Republic Day of India by Varghese Theckaneth of MSI with other representatives of civil society and faith groups. 

Naseer Siddiqui, campaign convener and programme coordinator of COVA, explained that many departments of the Central and state government have formulated Citizen’s Charters, binding them to prompt and efficient delivery of services. 

The GHMC, HMWS&SB and TSSPDCL have also adopted Citizen’s Charter. However, most citizens are not aware of these charters, different services offered, time frames and modalities for lodging requests and complaints and so are generally deprived of the 56 essential services that are to be delivered by these departments. “The range of places covered included slums, colonies, schools, colleges, parks and other public places. 

The objective of the campaign is to enable citizens of Hyderabad and Secunderabad to hassle-free access of 56 services that are provided by three departments as part of their Citizen’s Charters. A one-month pilot programme undertaken in January- February 2018 by civil society organisations and GHMC reported an increase of 20,000 MYGHMC App downloads by citizens or an increase of over 46.7% over previous months,” he noted.

While launching the campaign, Varghese Theckaneth urged that everyone should work hard to resolve their problems by approaching different departments until it is resolved. “If we go step by step in the hierarchy we can complain up to the President of India if required till the issue is resolved,” he said.

Varghese gave an overview of the campaign and urged that technology is an important tool for development and citizens should use technology and make their lives easy. “Good governance is transparency, accountability and efficiency in provision of services,” he added.

Faith leaders, who have endorsed the campaign and addressed the meeting include Sardar Nanak Singh Nishtar of International Sikh Centre, Taj Ahmed of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Omim Debara of Zoarastrian Trust. Taj Ahmed said that the campaign will get the support of his organisation through 20 primary units of the organisation and 16 Al-Khair Society branches in the city. S Srinivas Reddy, Director APSA, V V Rao of Greater Swachh Seva Samithi and other Representatives of Civil Society Organisations also spoke.

The partner organisations for the Campaign are APSA, Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, ATHMA, Basti Vikas Manch Hyderabad, CHATRI, CONARE, COVA, Dalit Stree Shakti, ICAN, Janani Foundation, KriyaSangh Society, MARI, MSI, Nasheman Nagar Welfare Association, PUCAAR, POW, SUPER, SAFA, Telangana Valmiki Samaj Pragati Sangh, and UFERWAS, WOW, Youngistan Foundation and Youth for Better Telangana. Many resident welfare associations, schools and colleges are also getting associated with the campaign.