Civic services drastically fall in RCC

RAJSHAHI, Dec 07: All activities including councilor-centric civic services have taken a downslide in the words of the Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC).
Since the ouster of the Awami League-led government on August 5 amid a student-mass uprising, civic services have not normalised yet, much to the sufferings of the city dwellers.
According to Citizen Charter, Ward Councilor's office issues various documents including birth-death registration certificate, citizenship (permanent-temporary), character, inheritance certificate.
Apart from this, a ward councilor has to sign various certificates, no-objection papers, national identity cards and verify voter list.
As a result, if 18 officials of the government are given the responsibility to render all the services to the citizens instead of the councilors, they are likely to face difficulties in performing this extra duty. So, citizens have to suffer in various respects while receiving services. Service recipients complained that the administrative officers who got the responsibility have been given the responsibility of multiple wards. But they don't know the local residents.
Again they have two days' off in a week and for the remaining five days they are not available after 5 pm.
Apart from this, they sometimes stay outside the district for their official work. So the service is not available as before.
On condition of anonymity, a young man said, "I live in a rented house which is 200-250 meters away from Ward No. 10 councillor's office. I was not given the temporary citizenship certificate even after taking all the proofs including the filled up tenancy form and electricity bill papers."
A resident of another ward named Abu Sufian said, "Several days ago, I submitted the form to the ward office for the birth registration of my son, but I still have not received it. Earlier it was available quickly."
Md Obaidur Rahman, Ward No. 15 secretary of RCC, said, "Councilors can serve the citizens seven days a week, but it is not possible for a government official. Because they have Friday and Saturday off. Again, it is not possible to serve in the councilor's office as the officials have work in their own offices. However, when we take various files to them, they fully cooperate with signing them."
Rajshahi Divisional Deputy Director of Primary Education Sanaullah who got the responsibility of Ward Councilors No. 1 and 4 of RCC, said, "Since the local public representatives knew everyone in the area, they could easily solve any problem. But we won't know everyone, that's normal. So, after verifying the documents of the citizens, if it seems correct, then I sign it. Due to this, there is a little delay."

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