Since its inception, thousands of people across Tamil Nadu have blown the Maiam Whistle, the official app of actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan’s party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM). Within 24 hours of launch (April 30), the app had more than 630 complaints pertaining to issues such as infrastructure, water supply, mounting garbage and sewage overflow, to name a few.
“On an average, we are getting 150-200 complaints per day,” said one of the members of the app team. Members of the team told The Hindu that this was not a fault finding app. Nor were they keen to take the law into their hands. The intention was to make the government act on issues that were long pending for redressal. “Mr. Haasan is personally looking into the issues raised on the app and will be voicing his thoughts through social media and ensure that the team takes them up immediately,” said another member.
Another member said the MNM had addressed six issues till date. “The first issue that we looked at was a major complaint in Anakaputhur, where the river stands contaminated due to effluents from the leather factories nearby. The moment this came to our notice, we gave a petition to the Collector,” he said. “In case the government authorities don’t take action, MNM office-bearers will get into action,” he added.
Currently, MNM allows only registered party members to login and file a complaint. Each complaint has to be accompanied with the complete address and details along with photographs and videos. “Once we see it on our app, we ask our volunteer champions to verify it and then we sit with our team and analyse what action can be taken or which department the issue has to be escalated to. The details of the complainant are protected,” said a volunteer who verifies the details that are posted on the app. MNM has representatives in each zone, who constantly keep tracking the app every hour and take up issues that need quick attention.
“If we are able to get the attention of the government to look into these issues, that itself is a solution for us and the public,” said another senior member who heads the app team. The app, which is available on both Android and IoS platforms, has crossed the mark of 60,000 users. “We are getting complaints from the remotest villages too,” the app head said. He added, “We are getting complaints on corruption too. Our committee members, including IAS/IPS officers and lawyers, are taking up each issue. Problems arising out of illegal Tasmac shops cropping up in various corners of Tamil Nadu are also being reported.”
A senior official, who is instrumental in drafting petitions for this team, said, “This app is not a magic wand nor is it some miracle worker. The intention is to make each citizen take responsibility towards [creating] a better locality/city/township and constituency. We also need to give time to the government to address the issues that we take up.”
