We would like to reach out to each and every citizen of the state, and address their grievances.
– Prestone Tynsong, Deputy Chief Minister
Shillong, July 29: East Khasi Hills district administration on Wednesday launched a new portal to allow citizens to directly register complaints and track their resolutions within the district.
The portal will also allow complaints to track their resolution within the district.
Terming it as the first step toward bringing government services closer to people, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday said, “This is a new initiative taken up by the Deputy Commissioner and we are starting from East Khasi Hills.”
“I am sure other districts will also come on board,” Tynsong said, adding that objective of the portal is to make the administration more responsive and accessible at the grassroots.
“We would like to reach out to each and every citizen of the state, and address their grievances,” the Deputy CM said.
The complaints can be from individuals and groups as well.
Highlighting ongoing efforts to decentralize services, Tynsong pointed to recent measures such as allowing driving license applications to be submitted at BDO offices in coordination with the DTO.
“We now want to bring the government to the doorstep of the citizens of the state. Just recently with the DTO, we have instructed them that even driving licenses can be availed from the BDO office,” he said.
While several departments already have online service platforms, Tynsong noted that districts face unique challenges in handling public grievances. The new portal is intended to bridge that gap.
“Every head of the district has so many challenges in responding to the grievances or issues raised by different stakeholders within the districts. This is the first initiative taken by the district and it will also be followed by all the districts in the state,” he said.
Under the new system, complaints submitted on the portal will be acknowledged immediately and forwarded by the Deputy Commissioner’s office to the relevant department, branch or wing within the district for action.
“Here is the portal where the public can easily bring to the notice of the district administration issues on all subjects. Once the complaint reaches the portal, we can easily acknowledge them. Then from the office of the DC, they will take it up with the concerned department,” Tynsong said.
The government expects the platform to speed up resolution and improve accountability.
Asked about action against erring officials, Tynsong said the Right to Public Services Act already mandates service timelines and punitive provisions.
