App launched to address citizens’ municipal grievances

The Baldiya App has been launched for the immediate registration and redressal of complaints regarding municipal services, improvement of the environment and social facilities in major cities across Punjab.

According to the officials, citizens can also file complaints through the web portal in addition to the mobile phone app. Urban development experts say that launching such services is a good move, but citizens can only benefit if complaints are addressed promptly. The app was launched by the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMFDC) under Punjab Cities Program and can be downloaded on both iPhones and Android devices.

Managing Director PMFDC Syed Zahid Aziz said that the Complainant Tracking System (CTS) was already launched under Punjab Cities Program (PCP) for complaint management. He added that the Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRAM) has been upgraded to allow citizens to use the mobile app to register their grievances.

Aziz further said that citizens also face problems during the provision of municipal infrastructure services, such as the construction of roads, streets and the installation of sewage systems, observing that the environment and the transportation system are both affected. Institutions have been mandated under the PCP to enact safety measures during infrastructure projects, however if they fail to do this, residents of the affected area will be able to file a complaint.

He further said that currently 16 municipal committees, including those in Daska, Hafizabad, Jhelum and Burewala among others, have been included in the Punjab Cities Program to strengthen local government bodies through better governance and planning.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 8^th, 2023.