Rourkela: The call centre at Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) which used to address civic problems faced by residents has stopped working from June 24 and those working in the department have been informed that their services are no longer required. The call centre was set up soon after Rourkela became part of the ‘Smart City’ project. It used to receive 70-80 calls daily and the numbers would go up during the monsoons and festive seasons like Rath Jatra and Durga Puja. So its sudden closure has come as a shock to the residents of this town. “We are not sure why the RMC decided to stop the call centre all of a sudden. However, we are certain it has stopped functioning and we are no longer working there,” said a person on condition of anonymity.
A second person who also worked at the call centre said, “We were all outsourced and working at the call centre. Our supervisor came and informed us June 24 that our service is no longer required.” Many of the former staffers of the call centre feel that its closure will have a detrimental effect on the residents of the city. “The monsoons have arrived and the problems of the residents will increase manifold. Now they will have nowhere to turn to for addressing their grievances. Earlier we even helped a pregnant lady in getting her to the hospital. Where will these people now go to,” asked another former staffer.
In fact, this correspondent got to know from aggrieved persons regarding the closure of the call centre. “I tried the number 18003457468 and there was no answer. There is water logging in front of my house and garbage is also being piled up. I don’t know how to get this problem solved,” said the person who is in his 70s. Others also had similar complaints to make. RMC deputy commissioner Sudhansu Bhoi also had no idea about the closure of the call centre. “I did talk with them yesterday (Monday) and today also. They have no idea why they were terminated.
Incidentally, they get their salaries from the district mineral fund (DMF),” added Bhoi. The official however assured that the call centre will be functional again soon. “We are looking into it, otherwise residents particularly the senior citizens will suffer,” Bhoi stated.