Finally, residents of Patiala can interact with their elected ward representatives in the virtual world with the municipal corporation coming up with its own website mcpatiala.in.
In the works for over five years, the website, launched on July 14 (Tuesday), could be of immense use to the common man.As of now, the website remains a mere information source and it will take some time to get it to a level where services could be offered online.
Interestingly, taking the delivery of essential services online has been a pet project of the state government with deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal piloting the initiative himself.
The idea - to take the application process for availing a service and getting the delivery of services online - is in various stages of implementation in municipal corporations across the state, but the Patiala civic body had been lagging behind and the website is the starting point.
What is available on the site
The newly-launched website, made for free by a private company, lists the history, public notices, directory and budget in separate links. There is a detailed section on the policies and the taxes levied by the state government.
Mayor Amarinder Bajaj said, "As of now, the website primarily remains a source of information and is not interactive. We will soon provide residents with the convenience of checking water bills online and also upload the details of tax levied on their property."
He added that the corporation had already uploaded a methodology using which residents could do self-assessment of property tax dues on their commercial and residential establishments.
{{/usCountry}}He added that the corporation had already uploaded a methodology using which residents could do self-assessment of property tax dues on their commercial and residential establishments.
{{/usCountry}}"The website is still being maintained and operated by the private company, which has built the website. However, our employees are also being trained. Soon, the portal will be operated and maintained by our own staff," he added.
Services likely to be Online
With the Punjab government laying emphasis on taking the delivery of most essential services by the state's civic bodies to an online platform, the following services could become easier to access for Patiala residents, now that a website has been launched.
" Paying various taxes
" Application/sanctioning of the building plans
" Obtaining no objection certificate for buildings