MARGAO
Defending the government’s decision to effect a hike in the fees of forms and certificates, which has come under stiff opposition at the village gram sabhas, Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte on Sunday advised citizens in general to download the certificates free of cost online or get quick and effective service at the Common Service Centre.
He said people might complain against the hike in the fees of forms and certificates, but demanded to know why citizens are not availing free services online.
“When the government had come out with a pre-notification, inviting suggestions and objections to the proposed hike in fees, not a single objection was received by the government. The stakeholders should have filed their objections and given their inputs, but there was no such objection,” he said.
Moreover, the Revenue Minister pointed out that the hike in the rates of various forms were revised way back around a decade ago, adding that it was indeed time for the government to bring about revised list of fees.
“Citizens can get their residence and divergence certificates, besides caste and other certificates free of cost online. They will save time as well as money on petrol to go to the Mamlatdar office. People should go for online services and save their time and energy,” he added.
As far as off-line services are concerned, the Revenue Minister said the government would soon open common service centres at all the talukas for quick issuance of certificates, but the service will come with a price that people will have to pay the fees. “At the Common service centre, people can expect time bound and faster services, where corruption will be totally ruled out. They need not make trips to the centre, but can get instant service within a time frame, but they will have to pay money for the services,” he added.
When asked whether the government will roll back the hike in the fees of certificates and other forms, Khaunte said his department has not received a single application till date seeking a review in the rates. “I have come to know from the media that some of the people have expressed their reservations on the fee hike. Let them make proper representation to the government with justification and the government will take a call,” he added.
