North Bengal gets first MLA-connect app with women’s safety at its core

The Suvendu Adhikari government launched its first mobile application in North Bengal, ‘Fear Out, Faith In’ (Bhoy Galo, Bharsa Elo) on Sunday evening in the Dabgram-Fulbari Assembly constituency, fulfilling one of the key electoral promises of the new government on women’s safety.

The app is designed as a direct digital interface through which residents can submit complaints, demands and suggestions to their MLA, as well as an emergency response platform for women’s safety. The application was formally launched by Dabgram-Fulbari MLA Shikha Chatterjee.

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According to officials, the app had earlier been introduced in Uttar Sonarpur Assembly constituency and its development was undertaken on the initiative of MLA Debashis Dhar with the objective of creating a scientific and technology-driven public grievance redressal mechanism, particularly focusing on women’s security.

Chatterjee said the application reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring women’s safety while making the elected representative more accessible to the people. She said many residents often fail to meet the MLA personally due to distance or his or her official engagements outside the constituency.

Using this app, citizens can contact their elected representatives from anywhere, while their complaints or requests will simultaneously be forwarded to the relevant government department for necessary action.

The app has been developed under the technological wing of the State Cooperative Department. Scientist Anirban Sen Chowdhury, who recently took charge as Chairman of the department’s technology wing, demonstrated the application before journalists and explained its features.

He said the app has been specially designed to respond to emergencies involving women. During awareness and training programmes, women will be taught how to use the application.

In case of an assault, kidnapping attempt or any emergency, a user can silently activate the app from an Android phone without alerting the perpetrators. The distress alert, along with location details, will instantly reach the local MLA, the concerned police station, the Superintendent of Police and other authorised authorities.

According to Sen Chowdhury, the system can also assist investigators in identifying suspects and speeding up rescue operations.

Beyond emergency services, the app functions as a comprehensive grievance redressal platform. Complaints related to drinking water, roads, electricity or any civic issue will automatically be forwarded to the concerned department besides reaching the MLA.

One of the notable features of the app is its voice-recording facility through which users can simply record a voice message, which will be digitally transmitted to the appropriate department for follow-up action.

Sen Chowdhury said every Assembly constituency in the state will have its own dedicated QR code through which residents can download the app onto their Android phones.

The initiative is proposed to remain operational throughout the five-year tenure of the Assembly, ensuring continuous communication between citizens, their elected representative and the administration.

He added that additional integration work is being carried out on Monday to link the application with the official mobile numbers and email IDs of officers-in-charge and inspectors-in-charge of police stations under each Assembly constituency. Once completed, complaints received through the app will be automatically routed to the respective police stations and departments for prompt action.

The Chairman also announced that one member from the State Cooperative Department will function as a liaison officer in every Assembly constituency to coordinate follow-up and facilitate implementation of issues raised through the digital platform.