MARGAO
The South Goa Advocates Association has urged the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records to streamline partition, amalgamation and other proceedings before the offices of the Inspector of Survey and Land Records (ISLR) and City Survey at Margao, Canacona, Vasco, Quepem and Sanguem.
In a representation, the Association has demanded strict implementation of the Time-Bound Public Services Act, framing of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), disposal of pending cases through mega camps and an inquiry into inordinate delays.
Association president Antonio Clovis Da Costa said comprehensive SOPs should be implemented for partition, amalgamation, identification, certification, demarcation and other survey-related proceedings.
Highlighting delays and repeated inconvenience to advocates and litigants, the Association said they are often required to make several visits to offices for notices, procedural compliance, clarification of objections and updates on applications.
It has sought an application-tracking system to enable advocates and litigants to check the progress of cases without visiting offices repeatedly. It has also demanded electronic issuance of notices and communication of procedural developments wherever legally permissible.
The Association has called for accountability and strict action against officials responsible for
unjustified delays and failure to adhere to prescribed timelines.
“One of the principal demands of the Association is that, immediately upon the filing of an application for partition, demarcation or amalgamation, the office concerned should issue notices to the respondents within 14 days from the date of receipt of the application,” Da Costa said.
He pointed out that applicants often face repeated objections and procedural requirements at the preliminary stage, resulting in avoidable stagnation before cases reach the notice and hearing stage.
Considering the substantial pendency of survey-related proceedings, the Association has also sought special mega camps for their time-bound disposal.
Further, citing complaints over delays in partition and amalgamation cases, it has demanded an inquiry under the supervision of a senior departmental officer to ascertain the reasons for pendency at the ISLR and City Survey offices in Margao.
