Citizen's Charter: GHMC promises to fill potholes within 24 hrs of complaint, 17 civic services listed

Hyderabad: From filling potholes in 24 hours to clearing stagnant water in 48 hours, a list of 17 civic services will be provided by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). A Citizen's Charter with the services, and officers assigned was released on Tuesday.

The charter promises to address and solve most civic issues within 48 hours of being raised by a city resident. For example, the charter assures the clearing stagnated water, removal of blocked drains/chokes within 48 hours of raising the issue. These services are especially important with the monsoon fast approaching Telangana.

These services will be provided in 150 ward offices which will be inaugurated by the municipal administration and urban development minister KT Rama Rao on June 16. The services list will be displayed at the 150 ward-level offices.

To ensure the implementation of these commitments, designated officers at the ward level will oversee the delivery of the 17 services within the specified timeframes.

Each ward-level office will have about 10 officials to receive and address the grievances of the citizens. This team will comprise assistant municipal commissioners serving as ward administrative officers, a ward engineer, a ward-level town planner, a ward entomologist, a ward community organiser, a sanitary jawan, a ward-level urban biodiversity supervisor, a ward assistant deputed from HMWS&SB, a ward lineman/line inspector deputed from TSSPDCL, and a computer operator.

In case of any delay or default, citizens can escalate their concerns to senior officers mentioned in the charter.

During the meeting held by KTR with the GHMC officials, he said, “Hyderabad is the first metro city in the country to adopt this approach, setting an example for other cities to follow suit. Citizens' active involvement is crucial for effective governance and addressing civic issues.”

The minister explained to them the agenda of the initiative, how it will benefit people and other aspects. He said that the initiative will significantly enhance service delivery and foster closer interactions with the public.

Underlining the uniqueness of the Ward Office system, KTR stressed that this initiative stands unparalleled across the nation. Expressing confidence in its potential to bolster governance within the city, KTR encouraged the corporators to actively utilise this system to effectively address public issues.

He said that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao decentralised administration to ensure the benefits of welfare schemes and government programmes reach people without any gaps. As an extension of the Chief Minister’s vision, KTR said that new districts, revenue divisions, mandals and gram panchayats were formed to take the government programmes and services to the doorsteps of people.

Similarly, the ward offices will aid in taking civic services closer to people. He said that the initiative will strengthen good governance and that corporators can foster closer interactions with people by providing more services. He asked the corporators to invite presidents of resident welfare associations, and prominent people in their ward limits for the inauguration of the offices.

The BRS working president asked the corporators to strengthen the party while taking government programmes to the people. He asked them to actively participate in the party’s meetings.