the goan I network
MAPUSA
The State government is contemplating providing government services to the people at their doorsteps, a la Delhi.
“We are trying to get effective services to the doorstep within six months. Once we have Citizen Service Centres (CSCs), the next thing is franchising it at the constituency level which will give an opportunity to people to be entrepreneurs also. These entrepreneurs will then help provide government services at the village level,” said Rohan Khaunte, Revenue Minister.
The revenue minister was responding to a query whether in his bid to bring in reforms in the revenue department, the State was planning to introduce delivery of services to the doorstep just like the Delhi government.
Khaunte said that Goa was not in competition with another State but feedback from other States was certainly welcome.
“I wouldn’t like to comment on other states but we can take feedback from other states which we have been doing,” he said.
The revenue minister said that the government will need time to introduce the doorstep service, as certain standard procedures will have to be adopted.
“If we are starting something new we have to ensure that a proper standard operating procedure (SOP) is in place before getting the service. May be we can start in another six months. But the first thing is that we need to start citizen service centres in all 12 talukas followed by village level and constituency wise centres,” Khaunte said.
He said his office had taken several steps to introduce reforms in the revenue department in order to serve the common man.
“My department in the last one and half year is coming with a lot of reforms understanding the issue of the common man and trying to act on those by either changing the law which is required as of today or by acting fast multiple platforms,” he said.
In a path-breaking reform, the Delhi government recently introduced a scheme where 40 public services, including renewal of driving licence, can be done from home at a fee of Rs 50.
CSCs in 8 talukas by November-end
MAPUSA: Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte said the government will start Citizen Service Centres (CSC) in eight talukas by the end of November.
He also said that there were no plans to roll back the service charge levied by the CSC.
“At the moment, we have only one CSC. We will start the CSCs in Mapusa, Pernem, Quepem, Canacona and a couple of other areas before the end of November at one time. Out of 12 talukas, minimum 8 talukas will start before November ends where all common services will be available under one roof,” Khaunte said.
The revenue minister was addressing journos after interacting with residents of Bardez at the government complex along with other key revenue officials like the additional collector, deputy collectors, mamlatdar etc.
Khaunte said that were no plans to roll back the service charge levied by the CSC as demanded by the Aam Aadmi Party in Margao on Wednesday.
“People who oppose for the sake of opposing, I don’t want to answer. People who have genuine issues, I would like to answer. The certificates and the other things which have been kept online are free of cost,” he said.
‘Parrikar will remain Chief Minister
for as long as he is there’
MAPUSA: Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte said Manohar Parrikar will remain the CM as long he was there and the State administration was doing fine with proactive ministers at the helm.
“For us, Parrikar is the CM and we stand by it. There are too many apprehensions…I think we need to give him his space. Health is a factor and it can happen to anyone…” Khaunte said.
The revenue minister was responding to queries whether the MGP’s one-month ultimatum on selecting a new CM will have any impact on the government when he visited the government complex in Mapusa on Thursday.
“Parrikar is the CM of Goa and if they have a problem it is an internal issue which the MGP and BJP need to sort out. It’s not right to discuss every time who the next chief minister is. Chief Minister is there till Manohar Parrikar is there,” Khaunte said.
He also said that the administration was running smoothly with the help of proactive ministers and if at all there were any issues, it could be discussed across the table.
“The administration is running. Ministers are taking proactive interest in their departments. If there are issues we can sit and clear them,” he said.
On whether he was satisfied with the functioning of the government, the revenue minister said that people’s expectations mattered. “Expectations of the public are more important. Whether public is happy with my performance is more important and the government…there are always chances of improvement. Whatever we do there will always be falling short and this gives us a stimulus to do better,” Khaunte said.
