In a shocking incident of privacy violation, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has come under fire for allegedly breaching the privacy of a citizen who filed a complaint against a builder for encroaching on a public footpath. The NMC’s Laxmi Nagar zonal office shared the complainant’s identity and contact number with the builder, who then directly reached out to the complainant. The builder reportedly tried to convince the complainant to withdraw his grievance, sparking public outrage and highlighting a troubling failure within the NMC’s system.
Builder Contacts Complainant
The complainant had submitted his concern via the NMC’s official mobile app, which assures users that their complaints will remain confidential. However, after only a brief conversation with a zonal official, the builder contacted the complainant directly. According to the complainant, the builder said, “Why are you doing this? I will remove the encroachment in a month or two.” Although the builder was polite, the complainant expressed fear for his safety, wondering what could happen now that the builder had his personal details. “What if he damages my car or harms me?” the complainant worried.
Despite the builder’s reassurances, the footpath in Sawarkar Nagar remains encroached upon, and no action has been taken to resolve the issue.
NMC Denies Any Wrongdoing in Privacy Breach Case
Satish Chaudhari, Assistant Commissioner of the Laxmi Nagar zone, denied any wrongdoing by NMC officials but did not provide a satisfactory explanation for the lack of action against the encroacher. Many are questioning the integrity of the grievance handling system, especially after this incident, which highlights the flaws in protecting the privacy and safety of those who raise concerns.
Repeated Privacy Breaches and Systemic Failures at NMC
This incident is not an isolated case. Activists have long raised concerns about NMC’s repeated failure to act on complaints. These concerns are especially true when the complaints involve powerful builders and businesses. In multiple zones like Dharampeth, Hanuman Nagar, Gandhibagh, Dhantoli, and Laxmi Nagar, business owners and automobile dealers frequently occupy footpaths. This includes using footpaths for parking or display, despite numerous complaints and media coverage. The lack of action by NMC officials often results in harassment of complainants, either directly or indirectly.
Collusion Between Local Officials and Encroachers
There have also been reports of furniture shops extending their showrooms onto public footpaths, while eateries construct unauthorized sheds. The failure to take action is often attributed to alleged collusion between local officials and these encroachers. “NMC is quick to remove a poor vendor, but when it’s a builder or a dealer, the complaint disappears,” another civic activist noted.
Public Trust in NMC’s Grievance System at Risk
The breach of privacy has severely damaged the public’s trust in NMC’s grievance redressal system. “If the system can’t protect complainants’ identities, who will raise their voice?” questioned the complainant. While the NMC has promised a formal inquiry, civic groups are calling for an independent audit of the complaint system. They are also demanding strict action against any officials found protecting encroachers.
Source: Times Of India
