Vive le BMP
It feels good to know that the BMP is taking to the net like fish take…you know what I mean.
This news from The Hindu caught my eye:
Just log on to www.bmponline.org — the updated website of the BMP, which was relaunched on August 14, a day ahead of schedule.
Seriously, the site rocks. Its user-friendly, packs lots of info, takes RTI seriously and promises more in the offing! What’s more, one of their initiatives really is mind-blowing:
Register your complaints over the net and you’ll get a tracking number to check the status of its redressal.
Which means that boy, somebody at the BMP better give the grievance/complaint their time of day and find a solution. This citizen empowering tool is thanks to eGovernments Foundation and has already been adopted by the MCD in Delhi.
Another initiative in the offing – payment of corporation tax via credit card – will be of great help to citizens in saving time and energy.
Says the Commissioner:
I eagerly await your inputs and feedback so that we can continuously improve the website through your feedback.
Well, I’m just a wee bit sceptical about this as an earlier mail to him on the footpath issue bounced back with this message:
From: Mail Delivery System
To: d.ravikumar@gmail.com
Date: 30 Jul 2006 08:46:22 +0000
Subject: Delivery Status Notification (Failure)
The following message to was undeliverable.
The reason for the problem:
5.4.7 – Delivery expired (message too old) ‘EOF’
Still, I’m enough of an optimist about Bangalore and I believe the good Commissioner will deliver on his promise!
For now, Vive le BMP!
Update: Here’s my colleague, Silkboard, delving into the nuts and bolts of the site!
I won’t be surprised if the page displays ‘404 Error’ after a week.
I and many like me live in hope that India will be transformed one day. Some are working towards that goal…people who are giving their time, energy and resources without expecting anything in return. Do try to believe in India and Indians, Kishor!
I have attempted a ‘review’ here
Ravi: Guess you deviated from the topic a bit (reference to India, Indians).
Never the less, how many of our citizens are willing to dirty their hands in quest for transformation. People like you and me just crib about the negatives and expect others to fight our battles!
K C, well said. Though it sounds bad, that is the truth. Me and you need to “participate”.
The site bmponline.org is already off the net with ‘404’ greeting page as on 18.08.06 11 am (IST). But I still don’t want to loose hope.