I want to share my recent harrowing experience at the hands of a young talathi in Mapusa. One of the documents required to avail government assistance for ‘Green Fodder Cultivation' is a residence certificate. Since I reside in Mapusa (for the past 34 years), I met the talathi in his office and asked for the relevant form to fill up. He told me to go to the 2nd floor. Since the lift does not function, I trudged up, only to be informed that I have to go back to the talathi's office on the ground floor. No sooner I met him, he arrogantly told me he does not have the forms. An elderly officer who works there, very kindly took me to one of the 3 kiosks within the Mamlatdar-Office complex building where they have all the forms. I filled it up and attached xerox copies of Adhaar, Ration Card, Municipal House Tax receipt, etc and went to the same kiosk the next morning to get it typed on ‘Official Paper'. I had to wait for almost an hour. Although I had written ‘resided in Mapusa for 34 years', the typist put "since 2000"! With the typed official declaration, I went to the talathi's office. He was not there, but his assistant went through the application and wrote behind it: "All self-attested birth certificate, school leaving certificate and children's birth and school leaving certificate"! When asked how my children matter, he said the talathi is asking for these. I asked him if "migrants" are also asked for the same. He was honest enough to tell me ‘No'. Even as I came out of the office, the talathi approached and said he can help me and asked for the papers and 3 photographs. I had only one, which I gave him. He asked me to bring two more "on Friday" i.e. 4 days later. Meanwhile I decided to meet Vijai Sardesai at Mathany Administrative Complex, Margao and explained how Goenkars are driven to desperation, while "migrants" have it all laid at their feet. He immediately took matters in hand. Meanwhile, I received an e-mail from the talathi's office that my application was "rejected." When I went to inquire why, he was not there. That evening I received a message from Sardesai's office that I will receive the Certificate soon. Next morning I received an e-mail from the talathi's office to collect the Residence Certificate that day! When he handed me the certificate I asked him 3 questions: Why he troubled me; How an "application" that was rejected the previous day has been "accepted" without me doing anything and why he wanted two more photographs. Acche din indeed!
Sergio Carvalho, Mapusa
Sergio Carvalho, Mapusa
