Municipal Grievance Application

To, The Commissioner / Chief Officer [municipal_body] [department] Date: [application_date] Subject: Grievance regarding civic services in Ward [ward_number] Sir/Madam, 1. APPLICANT'S DETAILS Name : [applicant_name] Address : [applicant_address] Ward : [ward_number] Contact : [contact_number] 2. NATURE OF THE GRIEVANCE [grievance_details] 3. IMPACT ON RESIDENTS [impact] 4. PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS [previous_complaints] Despite the above, no effective action has been taken, and the problem persists. 5. ACTION REQUESTED [relief_sought] I request that the concerned department be directed to inspect the location and to take remedial action within a reasonable time, and that I be informed in writing of the action taken. 6. I further request that: (a) this complaint be registered and a complaint number be furnished to me; (b) a timeline for redressal be communicated; and (c) the officer responsible for the ward be directed to inspect the site. 7. The provision of basic civic services is a statutory obligation of the municipal body under the applicable State municipal legislation, and residents of the ward pay property tax and other levies in consideration of those services. 8. I shall be glad to provide any further information, and am willing to accompany the concerned officer for a site inspection. Thanking you, Yours faithfully, [applicant_name] [applicant_address] Contact: [contact_number] ACKNOWLEDGMENT Received on ______________ Complaint No. ______________ Signature and seal: ______________________ ESCALATION IF NOTHING HAPPENS 1. WARD OFFICER — the first point of contact, and often the fastest. 2. COMMISSIONER OR CHIEF OFFICER — escalate in writing, quoting the original complaint number. 3. MUNICIPAL GRIEVANCE PORTAL — most corporations run an online system that generates a trackable complaint number. Use it in addition to a written complaint, since it creates a record. 4. RIGHT TO INFORMATION — an RTI application asking what action has been taken on complaint number X, and which officer is responsible, is frequently more effective than another complaint. 5. PUBLIC SERVICES GUARANTEE LEGISLATION — several States have enacted statutes prescribing time limits for specified public services, with a penalty on the defaulting officer. Check whether the service complained of is notified under the legislation applicable in your State. Keep every complaint number and acknowledgment. A documented trail is what makes escalation work.