By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Integrated Information System (MIIS) has not been successful in garnering the desired response from the citizens of the State even after more than a year since it was launched.
The hi-tech public outreach system, which is the first of its kind in the country, was launched by none other than Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma in June last year.
The State Government had come up with this system to assist the citizens of the State in redressing their grievances against any of the Government departments.
The general public can make use of this system by using a toll free number 1-800-3453644 and register their complaints on any matter be it the delay in procuring a driving license or scarcity of water in their localities.
The system was expected to enable citizens to keep abreast of Government schemes particularly in the rural areas where information is not easily accessed upon.
Under this system, people can seek clarification about the application procedures for obtaining different government services – ration cards, driving license and other benefits.
Citizens can also use the system to get information about employment opportunities and educational facilities including quota seats and scholarships.
Even though the system is yet to have taken off as anticipated, there are few cases where people have lauded the system saying it offers remedies to address problems faced by the common man.
“I have personally had a fruitful experience by using the system. I had lodge a complaint with the MIIS regarding the shortage of water supply in Malki locality,” Wallambok Shadap said here on Wednesday.
Before lodging the complaint with the MIIS, he said that he had taken up the matter with the local Dorbar Shnong and the Rangbah Dong since there has been insufficient water right from the source.
“Realizing that the matter is beyond the reach of the local Dorbar, I decided to call the MIIS. Immediately after receiving my complaint, they (MIIS) assured me that the problem would be addressed within 48 hours,” Shadap said.
Even though the problem was not resolved within 48 hours, he said that an officer sent by the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) Chief Executive Officer approached him to take stock of the water situation in the locality.
“As a common man I would not be able to bring to the ears of the SMB CEO, this water crisis. It is because of the MIIS that I am now getting more water supply than before,” Shadap said.
Another beneficiary of this system L Sungoh said that there was delay on the part of the District Transport Officer (DTO) office, Jowai to renew his vehicle documents.
“I was supposed to get the documents within two to three days. But every time I went to the DTO office, I was told by the staff that my document is deferred by weeks,” Sungoh said.
He resorted to file a complaint with the MIIS about the indifference on the part of the DTO staff.
“Within few days after having lodged a complaint, I received a call from the DTO office that my vehicle document is ready for collection. If not for the MIIS, I would have been held up for months,” Sungoh said.
Another individual Marplie Lyndem, praised this system, after having been harassed by the staff of the DTO office, Shillong.
‘I had gone to the DTO to remove the hypothecation from the vehicle registration after clearing the loan. Initially, I was told to come after 5 days to collect my documents but every time I went the staff was yet to receive my files. This continued for months,” Lyndem said.
“Finally, I decided to call the toll free number and lodge my complaint with the MIIS. The MIIS informed me that my files were still in the Secretariat and that I would be summoned by the DTO office in the next few days to collect my documents,” he said.
Meanwhile, a senior government official informed that there is a definite lack of knowledge among the people regarding the MIIS.
“I do not have any doubts that this system would take off once the people are made aware about it,” he said. Replying to a query, a senior government official said that the MIIS on an average receives around five calls a day.
“We get two calls a day and at times one call every two days,” he said.
