In a significant move to assist citizens amid the ongoing State-wide Intensive Review (SIR) exercise, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has launched a special drive to fast-track the issuance of crucial documents. The civic body has established dedicated help desks at its headquarters to manage a surge in applications for birth and death certificates.
Special Drive to Tackle Application Surge
On Wednesday, the KMC's initiative saw an immediate response, with the civic body receiving approximately 400 online applications and an additional 50 manual submissions. Officials are optimistic that this number will consistently exceed 500 applications per day within a week. The core objective of this drive is to clear backlogs and provide swift service to residents who may require these certificates as proof of citizenship during SIR hearings.
Mayoral Directive and Operational Boost
The push for efficiency comes directly from the top. Mayor Firhad Hakim instructed the Chief Municipal Health Officer (CMHO), Ranita Sengupta, to ensure the KMC processes at least 500 applications daily starting next week. This directive was partly prompted by a complaint received during the weekly 'Talk to Mayor' session from a resident of Indian Mirror Street, who faced difficulties securing an application slot via the designated chatbot.
In response, the KMC has strategically reallocated its workforce. "We have picked up our staff trained in verification of documents and processing birth and death certificates from different borough offices. They have joined our headquarters team and added pace to our special drive. More trained employees are likely to join this team in a few days," explained a civic official. Mayor Hakim assured that the health department would receive extra manpower to handle the SIR-related rush and emphasized that no genuine applicant with proper documents should be harassed or turned away.
Streamlined Process via Chatbot and Help Desks
To manage the increased demand systematically, the KMC has focused on enhancing its digital and in-person services. A key component is the expansion of the daily application quota through the civic body's dedicated chatbot (8335999111). The newly set-up help desks at the civic headquarters are designed to guide applicants, verify documents manually, and expedite the entire process, ensuring faster delivery of the essential certificates.
This concerted effort underscores the administration's commitment to easing bureaucratic hurdles for Kolkatans during the crucial SIR process, where timely document submission is paramount.
