BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has decided to develop a mobile application to help people get basic services. A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting presided by Chief Secretary AP Padhi at the State Secretariat here recently.
The Chief Secretary said services, including issue of birth and death certificates, trade licences and construction of public toilets in urban areas, are needed to be done in time. Padhi asked the department concerned and the executing agencies to take steps to ensure that basic services are provided to people without any hassles. He said the mobile application should be created as early as possible.
Official sources said besides helping people get different certificates, mobile application can also be used for applying for electric and water connections and trade licences. The app will also have updates on street lighting, condition of roads, garbage collection and recycling, drainage system and other services.
The Chief Secretary suggested that applications for building plan approval, information about availability of shops and space in market complexes and vending zones, booking of Kalyan Mandaps should also be incorporated in the mobile application for the benefit of people.
Padhi asked the officials to involve women self help groups (SHGs) at ward level for water supply, grievance redressal, water tax collection and collecting information on illegal water and electricity connections. He also directed the officials to set up telephone helplines at towns and cities for the benefit of the people.
Secretary in the Urban Development Department G Mathi Vathanan and Special Secretary PK Jha attended the meeting.