[Prasham]

Government of India has an online Grievance forum at http://pgportal.gov.in/ Can you imagine this is happening in INDIA?

The govt. wants people to use this tool to highlight the problems they faced while dealing with Government officials or departments like Passport Office, Electricity board, BSNL/MTNL, Railways etc.

I know many people will say that these things don't work in India, but this actually works as one of the employee in CSC found. The guy I'm talking about lives in Faridabad. Couple of months back, the Faridabad Municipal Corporation laid new roads in his area and the residents were very happy about it. But 2 weeks later, BSNL dug up the newly laid roads to install new cables which annoyed all the reside! nts including this guy. But it was only this guy! Who used the above listed grievance forum to highlight his concern. And to his surprise, BSNL and Municipal Corporation of Faridabad were served a show cause notice and the guy received a copy of the notice in one week. Government has asked the MC and BSNL about the goof up as it's clear that both the government departments were not in sync at all.

So use this grievance forum and educate others who don't know about this facility. This way we can at least raise our concerns instead of just talking about the ' System ' in India.

... Received from a friend

[kamikaze]

Thanks for sharing this Prasham.

I think Indian government is making strides in becoming more efficient and effective. Kudos to them.

Jsut wondering has anyone of you ever, ever thanked a Traffic Police guy or a Police Officer? I was once driving back from office and at the Okhla crossing it was pouring rain and chaos and traffic lights not working and there was this officer who was manning the intersection. He was managing it quiet well knowing Delhiites disregard for instructions and impatience. When he stopped my lane, I was in the front and while everyone behind me honked and everyone next to me looked in disgust at the officer for stopping them, I rolled down the wondow and thanked him for making sure everyone gets home safely. Trust me the smile that traffic cop had on his face made my day. He said no one has ever thanked him for doing his job well.

I am not showing off. But just wondering, how many of us thank these people for doing their job well? Agreed it is their job but then a small thank you once in a while does not harm anyone.

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Delhi police, well few times when I stopped to ask directions. Army and CRPF in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh normally get a salute from me every time I come across them.

I agree that simple thanks and smiles goes a long way and should be part of normal courtesy one should show to almost every one we comes across, irrespective of their stature/position.

[Prasham]

Once I was "hijacked" by a rickshaw in mumbai. I didn't knew the road but all I knew was that while Going from Ghatkopar to Andheri I had paid about 55 bucks (it was about 4-5 years back) but when going back to Ghatkopar the meter showed 60 bucks while I had just crossed about half the distance. I asked the rickshaw driver to stop near a major cross road and went straight to the traffic police on duty. I conveyed him the matter and he was like "just show me the ....."

He came along with me to the rickshaw, chatted and warned the rickshaw driver, took his license and asked him to drop me and then return to him for his licence. He told me not to give any more than 55 bucks.

This was the first (and only) incidence when I felt that all officers aren't useless!