MARGAO
Concerned about the pending revenue court cases and the need for their timely disposal, South Goa District Collector, Egna Cleetus, has ordered Special Court Sessions at the levels of Deputy Collectors and Taluka Mamlatdars across the South Goa district.
The Collector has issued an order designating every Monday morning session as a Special Court Session at the level of all Mamlatdars and Deputy Collectors in the South Goa district.
In the event that parties or their authorised representatives/advocates are unable to take hearing dates during the designated Monday morning sessions, Presiding Officers may grant alternative dates convenient to all parties.
The objective behind the Special Sessions is loud and clear – to dispose of the pending revenue court cases as expeditiously as possible. The Collector asserted that these Monday morning sessions may be exclusively reserved for hearing and disposing of revenue cases that have been pending for more than five years (First on Board/Cause list). “Emphasis shall be laid on ensuring that all such long-pending cases are listed for hearing on a weekly basis and disposed of within the next three months, without fail. Regular cases, if any, may also be listed for hearing on these Monday morning sessions after completion of the special board,” the Collector added.
The Collector has set a task for the Presiding Officers handling the revenue cases. All concerned Presiding Officers have been told to prepare a list of all such long-pending cases under their jurisdiction, prioritise these cases for hearing during the dedicated Monday morning sessions, maintain records of progress and submit monthly reports to the Collectorate (South Goa).
As far as monitoring and implementation of the exercise is concerned, the Collector has fixed responsibility on the Additional Collectors to ensure effective implementation of this initiative and undertake regular reviews. “This initiative is purely administrative in nature and shall not affect the outcome of any individual case. All cases shall be disposed of strictly in accordance with the law, upholding the principles of natural justice and due process,” the Collector stated, making it clear that the order has been issued in the interest of timely justice and efficient functioning of the revenue administration and shall come into effect immediately.
The Collector’s initiative comes against the backdrop of the fact that a significant number of cases have been pending before the revenue courts in the last few years. The Collector stated that it has been observed that a significant number of revenue cases have remained pending for over five years before various Revenue Courts in the South Goa District.
The Collector stated that the directions have been issued to the Deputy Collectors and Mamlatdars in order to ensure their timely and efficient disposal in accordance with the law, and to enhance administrative effectiveness.
