Henceforth, free application forms from JSK
THE GOAN NETWORK
PONDA
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Friday inaugurated the Jan Suvidha Kendra (JSK) at Ponda, claiming that all forms and applications will be given free of cost and added that such services would arrest corrupt practices.
The chief minister was, however, silent when asked to comment on the legal status of the mahiti ghars in the State.
While the JSK, presently housed in the Additional Collectorate building in Ponda, only provides applications and forms of various departments, the mahiti ghars provides certificates such as Form 1&14, survey plans, birth certificates, etc, but charges people for the services and certificates.
The function was attended by Minister for Industries Mahadev Naik, Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar, South Goa Collector Sachin Shinde, Deputy Collector Johnson Fernandes, Joint Mamlatdar Abhir Hede, Apurva Karpe and others.
“Application forms will be provided by the JSK free of cost. The system of time-bound services in the various departments will arrest corrupt practices, as officers will not be in a position to demand bribe,” Parsekar said.
Later, when this correspondent asked the chief minister to comment on the legal status of the mahiti ghars, Parsekar remained silent.
South Collector Sachin Shinde, however, stated that legal proceedings had been initiated against the agency running the mahiti ghars.
According to sources, the contract of the agency running the mahiti ghars had expired some years ago and the government has not renewed the contract.
Incidentally, the chief minister's assurance to make forms and applications available free of cost at the JSKs will affect the business of kiosks under the Din Dayal Yojana, as these kiosks have been charging for forms and applications supplied to the public.
