the goan I network
MARGAO
Who’s responsible in the Margao Deputy Collector’s office for accepting applications for regularization of structures in private properties without the serial numbers of the forms?
This question has come to the fore with the government setting March 31 for the applicants to deposit the non-refundable money amounting to Rs 10,000.
Many an applicant from Salcete, who rushed to the Deputy Collector’s office to pay the regularization fee were shocked when they were told that their forms are liable for rejection simply because the forms have no mention of the serial number.
Many an applicant, however, has protested seeking to know how their forms were liable for rejection when the officials themselves had accepted the forms.
“If the people had submitted the wrong forms or forms without serial numbers, we ought to have been advised by the officials at the time of submission. Officials cannot blame the people for no fault of theirs,” remarked a citizen from Curtorim.
Another citizen from Velim echoed similar sentiments.
Taken aback by the stand adopted by officials that his application form does not bear a serial number, the citizen has demanded to know why was the form accepted in the first place if it did not conform to the prescribed format. “Can’t these officials, who are paid salaries from the tax payer’s money guide the people properly to file proper forms?” the agitated applicant demanded to know.
When The Goan contacted Deputy Collector, Margao, Paresh Faldesai to shed light on the grievances expressed by the citizens vis-Ã -vis regularization of houses, he sympathised with the applicants, saying that his office is in the process of replacing the forms without serial numbers with numbered forms.
Incidentally, of the 648 application forms received for regularization of houses, around 303 forms have no serial numbers.
Any rejection would amount to rejection of close to half the applications.
“My office has asked the higher ups to send around 300 regularization forms to replace the defective
forms submitted in my office. The process will be carried out through the office of the village talathi once the forms are received from Panjim,” Paresh said.
