MC tells web firm to close mobile app for complaints

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 13

Residents would no longer be able to file their complaints on the mobile-based application, CRAMAT as the Municipal Corporation has ordered the company to close its web portal.

The MC has given instructions to Webrosoft Solution (P) Ltd to close the provision for uploading new complaints at CRAMAT’s web portal. The mobile-based application was launched with much fanfare by the civic body in 2013.

Jaskirat Singh, from the company, said: “I have received the orders for closing the web portal for mobile-based application. I met the MC Commissioner in this regard but I don’t know why the civic body has decided to close this service. The application was running in a right manner while the method of filing a complaint was very simple. Besides, the civic body was supposed to pay us around Rs 5,000 per month for running CRAMAT service. However, the MC is yet to pay our dues worth Rs 2 lakh for this application.”

By clicking a picture, a resident could easily register his or her complaint about streetlights, water supply, sewerage, roads, sanitation, encroachments, unauthorised constructions, horticulture, illegal hoardings and advertisements, city bus service or garbage burning on CRAMAT. Initially, the application received a good response. Sources said several complaints filed via CRAMAT were lying pending.

The MC Superintendent (Complaints and Enquiry), Amish Bansal, said: “The MC has decided to close CRAMAT application and its web portal. Many residents used to file the same complaints on CRAMAT, MC’s website and other sources due to which there was a duplication of complaints. The decision to close CRAMAT application has been taken to avoid duplication of complaints.”

MC yet to update its online complaint system

Though the MC has decided to close mobile application CRAMAT, it has failed to upgrade its online complaint system, Management Information System (MIS), on its official website. After delimitation of the wards, it was required to update the online complaint system. At the MC’s official website for filing complaints, the old ward numbers are still displayed under Zone A, B, C and D. Though the number of wards has been increased from 75 to 95, the residents of Ward No. 76-95 are unable to find slots for filing a complaint on the website. A resident of BRS Nagar, Satinder Singh, said: “The civic body should upgrade the online complaint system. The MC should focus on addressing complaints on time.”