The Indian government has requested proposals to establish a call center and web portal to allow citizens to make right to information requests by telephone and online.
The Department of Personnel and Training May 14 sought requests from IT firms and call centers, according to media reports such as one in the Hindustan Times. The article said further:
According to the plan, the call centre will have to operate two lines. The first will be used to respond to general queries, and the second would be meant for filing applications. The mandatory fee of R10 would have to be paid through credit card or bank transfer via the State Bank of India’s gateway, which would also charge a transaction fee.
Daily News and Analysis reported that “one of the main objectives behind the planned call centre and website is to address citizens’ handicap arising out of illiteracy in filing RTI applications, to save money, reduce inefficient practices and to promote transparency at government offices.”
“The agency selected would set up, operate and maintain the RTI call centre to facilitate voice calls, SMS and Inter Voice Response System managed calls, besides developing, and maintaining the portal,:” according to DNA. The call service would be provided in Hindi and English, with a provision for regional languages later on, and would be available from 8 am to 8 pm seven days a week.
The three volume Request for Proposal may be downloaded from http://www.persmin.nic.in.
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