It appears that meeting the Commissioner of Mysore City Corporation during the public visiting hours of 3-5 PM is quite difficult. In the last two weeks, MGP tried to meet the Commissioner 10 times and failed on every occasion.
We would first call his office on the phone and if there was a possibility that he was available, we would go to his office. The reasons for not being able to meet him were: he was with the minister (twice), he was preparing for the CM's visit, he was out of town (twice), he had meetings with the DC (this cost us a visit, since we were told he might be back between the meetings), he had scheduled two meetings, one with an expert from Bangalore and one with MCC officials (this also cost us a visit, since we were told that we could meet him between the meetings), he was supposed to be back from Delhi but did not come, City Council meeting ate up the visiting hours, he was at home but did not come to the office (this also cost us a visit).
Some of the reasons, such as the minister's visit, are unavoidable, even though it is not clear why all the top officials from MCC, MUDA, etc. should follow any minister who comes to town. All other reasons are untenable and a breach of public trust.
The MCC Commissioner should not schedule any meetings with officials during the public hours. Even the DC should refrain from holding meetings during public hours, because by doing so, he is showing disrespect to the public who want to see him as well as the public who want to meet officials who attend these meetings such as MCC Commissioner.
Every day, innumerable people including the elderly, women and the handicapped come to see the MCC Commissioner during the public hours. If every one else in the Corporation was doing his or her job efficiently and sincerely, meeting the Commissioner would not be that important. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Flouting of rules and laws, unwillingness to take action against encroachers and illegal builders, not obeying the orders of higher officials are so rampant that the ordinary citizen is forced to approach the Commissioner as a last resort. The sight of dozens of helpless citizens waiting desperately for hours to meet the Commissioner is very sad indeed.
It is also not clear why the MCC Commissioner, when he has gone out of his office on unavoidable duty, does not update his office frequently about his movements and more importantly, about when he will be back. This will make life much easier for the public who call his office to enquire about his availability. It would also be good if the Commissioner's Office keeps a register in which the people who come during public hours can record their names and complaints.
We would first call his office on the phone and if there was a possibility that he was available, we would go to his office. The reasons for not being able to meet him were: he was with the minister (twice), he was preparing for the CM's visit, he was out of town (twice), he had meetings with the DC (this cost us a visit, since we were told he might be back between the meetings), he had scheduled two meetings, one with an expert from Bangalore and one with MCC officials (this also cost us a visit, since we were told that we could meet him between the meetings), he was supposed to be back from Delhi but did not come, City Council meeting ate up the visiting hours, he was at home but did not come to the office (this also cost us a visit).
Some of the reasons, such as the minister's visit, are unavoidable, even though it is not clear why all the top officials from MCC, MUDA, etc. should follow any minister who comes to town. All other reasons are untenable and a breach of public trust.
The MCC Commissioner should not schedule any meetings with officials during the public hours. Even the DC should refrain from holding meetings during public hours, because by doing so, he is showing disrespect to the public who want to see him as well as the public who want to meet officials who attend these meetings such as MCC Commissioner.
Every day, innumerable people including the elderly, women and the handicapped come to see the MCC Commissioner during the public hours. If every one else in the Corporation was doing his or her job efficiently and sincerely, meeting the Commissioner would not be that important. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Flouting of rules and laws, unwillingness to take action against encroachers and illegal builders, not obeying the orders of higher officials are so rampant that the ordinary citizen is forced to approach the Commissioner as a last resort. The sight of dozens of helpless citizens waiting desperately for hours to meet the Commissioner is very sad indeed.
It is also not clear why the MCC Commissioner, when he has gone out of his office on unavoidable duty, does not update his office frequently about his movements and more importantly, about when he will be back. This will make life much easier for the public who call his office to enquire about his availability. It would also be good if the Commissioner's Office keeps a register in which the people who come during public hours can record their names and complaints.
V. Mahesha, Working President, Mysore Grahakara Parishat