Huge queue of applicants for birth and death certificates that spilled over to the pavement of the Margao Municipal building. Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Serpentine queues of applicants seeking birth and death certificates have become the order of the day at the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) since the implementation of new software approved in Delhi two months ago.
Unlike in the past, when applicants could obtain a birth or death certificate at the click of a mouse, they now have to endure a time-consuming process at the births and deaths section of the MMC.
In fact, queues spilling onto the pavement outside the heritage building have become a common sight, with staff expressing helplessness in addressing the problem and attributing the delays to the new software.
“The new software requires staff to follow certain guidelines before issuing the documents. This has resulted in delays in issuing the certificates,” an MMC staffer said.
Margao Municipal Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar echoed similar sentiments, saying the new software developed in Delhi was causing delays in issuing birth and death certificates.
He, however, hastened to add that clear instructions had been issued to the staff manning the births and deaths section to issue the certificates on the same day. He also said the administration might deploy additional staff to ease the situation and streamline the process.
