No facilitation at this civic centre, complain citizens

Getting any work connected to the civic body done is tedious and time-consuming, complain residents of N-ward, despite the presence of a Citizen Facilitation Centre (CFC).

Getting any work connected to the civic body done is tedious and time-consuming, complain residents of N-ward, despite the presence of a Citizen Facilitation Centre (CFC).

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Ghatkopar resident Shayada Ibrahim said she had to wait for three hours at the CFC, which is located on the ground floor of the ward office in Ghatkopar, to apply for her two-month-old daughter’s birth certificate.

Citizens visit the centre to pay their water bill, assessment tax, property tax, to apply for death and birth certificates, to pay licence fees and school fees.

“We have to queue up for hours. There are no clear instructions about the working hours of the counters. While some are open till 2pm, others close at 1pm,” said Pandurang Patil, a civic school employee and resident of Karaj Nagar.

“This CFC is very crowded. The counter attendants keep talking on mobile phones and don’t work efficiently so it takes more time for work to be done,” said Rajendra Chavan, 42, a construction contractor and Bhatwadi resident. “There is also no proper sitting arrangement. The chairs are broken, the information kiosk is not working.”

Residents complain that the issue would at least partially get addressed if senior officials would inspect the CFC regularly.

When contacted, CFC supervisor PS Jagtap said: “Two of our eight cash receiving employees are on election duty and two are on leave so we are working at half-strength. People will have to face a little inconvenience.”