Local MLA, councillors kept in the dark over its start
MAPUSA
The Citizen Service Centre in Bardez taluka has started operating from the Mapusa bus-stand without a formal inauguration, even as the Mapusa MLA and local councillors were in the dark over the start of the government’s pet project.
But the CSC’s much-touted objective to provide hassle-free delivery of utility services seems to have not gone down well with the general public.
There have been complaints galore over the functioning of the centre and the delay in obtaining certificates.
Several people also criticised the government decision to set up the CSC at the bus-stand which is almost 800 metres away from the government complex which houses the revenue courts.
“If the government is so concerned about the welfare of the people then the CSC should have been started at the government complex. The documents, which are required to be produced in revenue courts, have to be obtained from another place which is quite at a distance. It’s very inconvenient for the people,” said Adv Naveen Bhivshet.
Many others concurred with Bhivshet and vouched for the facility at the government complex.
The CSC in Bardez is the seventh such facility in the State and its operations began on October 26 at the Mapusa bus-stand. For over a year, the structure to house the CSC was lying idle at the bus-stand The State government has plans to set up such CSCs in all 12 talukas in the State.
A senior citizen from Tivim, Robert Colaco informed that he had applied for survey plans at the CSC four days ago and was not sure when he would get the same.
“When I went to inquire at the CSC after four days, the staff told me that I will get a message on my cell phone. But they could not tell me when the message would be delivered to me. Isn’t this facility supposed to provide time-bound delivery of services?” Colaco asked.
Yet another citizen pointed out that residence certificates were provided free of cost at the government complex but the same is charged at the CSC.
“We have to pay Rs 50 per residence certificate at this new service centre. Earlier, the same certificates we got for free. We were better off in the old system,” the citizen said.
Incidentally, local MLA Joshua D’Souza, former Mapusa Municipal Council chairperson Ryan Braganza and the councillors were not aware that the CSC had started functioning in town.
Director of Information Technology Ankita Anand informed that after Mapusa, the government would start the facility in Pernem.
“I am not aware about the formal launch of the Mapusa CSC but will look into the matter,” Anand said.
The facilities made available at the CSC include providing various certificates such as residence, caste, divergence, income, partition of land, form I & IV, matrize besides sound permission, survey plans etc.
Nearly, 40 government services are offered at the CSC for both citizens and corporate institutions.
