South Goa advocates allege malpractices, demand reform in mutation process

MARGAO
The ghost of mutation have come back to haunt the revenue authorities in South Goa.

Alleging malpractices in the mutation process at the office of Mamlatdars, the South Goa Advocates Association has called for transparency in the system, including strict Implementation of the Goa (Right of Citizens to Time-Bound Delivery of Public Services) Act, 2013 (GRCTBDS Act).

In a representation addressed to the South Goa district Collector, the Advocates Association has further demanded action against the agents and to set up a mutation application tracking system.

The representation addressed to the district Collector by SGAA president Adv Prasad Naik pointed out that addressing these issues is crucial to restoring public confidence in the mutation process and ensuring that it operates with the highest standards of fairness and transparency.

“During a recent general body meeting of our Association, it was brought to our notice by several members that there are private agents operating within the Office of the Collector, who are able to expedite the processing of mutations on a day-to-day basis. It was pointed out that there is a general opinion amongst the citizens that mutations can be completed within a week and at times even within 24 hours, in case the services of such agents is procured and their hefty service fees are paid,” the representation stated.

Saying the general public often faces significant delays and is compelled to visit the office of the Mamlatdar multiple times to complete their mutation work, Adv Naik pointed out that this has compelled the public to approach the agents/touts to get the mutations expedited.

“Additionally, it has been observed that some Mamlatdars are raising unnecessary objections during the mutation process. However, these objections are notably absent when files are presented by agents. This inconsistency in the application of procedures is not only unfair but also raises serious concerns about the integrity of the process,” he stated.

Claiming there are instances wherein the procedures have been bypassed and mutations done in the survey records even when the name of the predecessor in title is absent in the Survey Form I and XIV, Naik said names of the persons have been directly inserted without any link being shown to the names already existing in the Survey Form. “Such cases raise serious doubt upon the integrity of the concerned officer and the transparency in the entire mutation procedure,” he added.

The representation further stated that investigation into the mutation process has brought to light the fact that despite the Office of the Sub-Registrar sending mutation files online after the registration of Sale Deeds, the Office of the Mamlatdar is still directing the public to submit new files with fresh NOCs. “This redundant requirement causes unnecessary inconvenience to the general public. We request an investigation into why the files sent online by the Office of the Sub-Registrar are not being processed by the Mamlatdar’s Office and to address any underlying issues causing this inefficiency,” the association demanded.

Against this backdrop, the SGAA has demanded action against agents operating within the Mamlatdar building who are unduly influencing the mutation process and collecting huge amounts from the public in the pretext of expediting the mutation.

While demanding strict implementation of the Goa (Right of Citizens to Time-Bound Delivery of Public Services) Act, 2013 (GRCTBDS Act), the SGAA said the State Government has implemented the GRCTBDS Act to ensure that public services are delivered within a specified time frame. “However, it has been observed that this Act is not being strictly enforced by the Office of the Mamlatdar, particularly in relation to the mutation process. We request that the mutation process be brought strictly within the ambit of this Act to ensure timely and fair service delivery to the public,” the petition demanded.