Solution Sena style to all problems: dial 24222222

“We have observed that people don’t have time to visit government offices,BMC or any authority if they have problems. Many do not even know Sena Shakhas or their leaders. This helpline will help them,” said Ravindra Waikar,Sena corporator.

The helpline works like this: the caller’s name and contact details are recorded and forwarded to the respective Shakha Pramukh Vibhag Pramukh and the Shiv Sena corporator (if any) of the area to which the person belongs. A call back is assured from any of the three,followed up by a solution.

“If the problem cannot be solved by a corporator then senior leaders of the party are informed. If the nature is very local,Shakha Pramukh and activists visit the spot and try to solve it cordially,” said Waikar.

Sena leaders said the helpline will be for people across the state and the party wants to help anyone it can,rather than concentrate on the Marathi-speaking population. The helpline is awaiting a formal launch by Uddhav Thackeray but the call centre is already functional at Sena Bhavan,where 22 young men and women take the calls and forward the queries. “We have received a number of calls from across the city,” said Shalesh Patil,who has designed the software. He is an electrical engineer and in charge of the Sena’s IT and media division.

Patil said a number of the problems are of a social nature. “A worried family asked for help to prevent a daughter from eloping. Someone complained about a neighbor who wouldn’t bring down the TV volume; an Andheri women said that despite having all necessary documents her building secretary wouldn’t allow transfer of a flat,” he said. “We have tried to help by personally visiting the complainants. We have often received a call back saying ‘Thank you Shiv Sena’.”

What helps is the general impression about the clout that Shiv Sainkis wield,he said. “People have high expectations about getting their problems solved if they call the Shiv Sena. We do our best to solve them,” said Patil.