GADAG: In a first, Gadag town has got a “magic button” that allows people to register their complaints that are promised to be solved within 24 hours.
Once the magic button is pressed, the complaint is registered and recorded on a website. Command centre officials get the details of the complainant and complaint, which is immediately sent to the concerned department heads, like the deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, zilla panchayat chief executive officer and others.
These magic button centres, two of which were inaugurated on Independence Day, will be set up at different places and people can register their complaints regarding the safety of women and children, protection of senior citizens, illegal middlemen, road safety measures, anti-social activities, suspicious objects, land rights cases, pension-related issues, corruption, panchayat services and others.
Residents have to give their thumb prints and the machine automatically takes their photo. When they press the button, the command centre, which works 24x7, asks details of the complaint, and forwards it to departments concerned.
The idea of this electronic complaint system was first mooted by Law and Tourist minister HK Patil. The magic button will work like the “Bell of Justice” of olden days which were placed in front of palaces.
On Independence Day, magic button centres were inaugurated at KH Patil Stadium and Javalagalli area. One of the centres was inaugurated by HK Patil.
The magic button strategy is termed Prabhuvinedege Prajaprabhutva, which means “democracy at one’s doorsteps”.
Ramu Vaggi was the first complainant and he inaugurated the booth along with the minister.
‘System to solve woes’
Vaggi said, “I filed a complaint about the photography bill which was stuck in the taluk panchayat office for many days. The command centre officials asked all the information and cleared my issue within two hours. I am happy to be part of such a project.”
HK Patil said, “This is a new system that will help citizens get instant solutions to their problems. The Third Eye system has been successful, reducing the number of house thefts, extortion and other crimes. The detection rate has increased. Murder cases are being detected immediately and the number of crimes has decreased. Traffic violations have decreased significantly. We are implementing new systems in the district for the benefit of society.”
Third Eye is a crime detection system that was introduced in Gadag sometime ago.