GUWAHATI: While the Kamrup (M) administration has given permission to "Taza-Sabji App" for home delivery of vegetables within Guwahati, the App has clarified that their home delivery service cannot be extended till the lockdown remains.
Speaking to this reporter who had called the number available on the App after having downloaded it, the App authority said, “We will not be able to extend home delivery services in the lockdown period. However, we are assisting the government in carrying vegetables to the different localities of the city in the designated delivery vans.”
Earlier yesterday, a notification from the administration read, "Permission is hereby accorded to Taza-Sabji App for home delivery of vegetables in the greater Guwahati city during the lock down."
"The App based service will ensure all protective measures to curb spreading of COVID-19 and maintain standard protocol to contain COVID-19 issued from the govt," the notification further added.
It may also be mentioned that the vehicle to be used and allowed for this purpose is registered as AS 11 BC 0451.
Seeking the city administration’s take in this regard, G Plus was unable to reach the Deputy Commissioner (M), Biswajit Pegu. However, the Asst. Deputy Commissioner (M), Bipul Kumar Das said, Taza Sabji App is already providing vegetables to the citizens in Guwahati via online orders."
However, the reality is that the App is not working and a message flashes saying orders through the App are on hold till the lockdown days are over.
Responding to this, the ADC said that the administration is unsure how exactly the App is being operated and it was taken for granted that vegetables are being sold via “online” orders.
Further, the ADC also said that they would call the management of Taza Sabji App and ask them to start activating the App so that it can take online orders and deliver vegetables at doorsteps accordingly.
It is to be mentioned that after reading the notification many citizens tried to order from the App. However, they failed to place orders. Further, due to its technical constraints the App is currently working only on Android based platforms and not IOS.
Currently, the App is taking orders from individual customers only through the helpline numbers that are provided in the App.
Meanwhile, the Kamrup (M) administration has granted permission to around 7-8 app-based vegetable vendors to take online orders.