MARGAO
Mutation process in Salcete is back in the news, this time with the body of advocates demanding the timely implementation of the mutation process under the Goa (Right of Citizens to Time-Bound Delivery of Public Services) Act, 2013.
In fact, the South Goa Advocates Association, an association of lawyers pre-dominantly practicing in the District of South Goa and comprising of more than 650 lawyers across the six talukas, have drawn attention of the Salcete mamlatdar that the State government had already brought the Mutation Process under the Goa (Right of Citizens to Time-Bound Delivery of Public Services) Act, 2013 (GRCTBDS).
The Association, however, observed that the same is not strictly implemented by the Office of the Mamlatdar engaged in the implementation of the mutation process.
“The very purpose of bringing the mutation process under GRCTBDS was that no hardships are caused to the public and that mutation applications are disposed on an expeditious basis. However, it is seen that your office is not strictly implementing the same and at times general public is made to visit your office on numerous occasions,” SGAA president Adv Prasad Naik said.
He added: “It is also observed that in a few selective mutation cases, notices are generated on the same day and final certification is also done on the same day. In most other cases, the mutation applications are kept pending for long periods. This discriminatory process raises suspicion on the working of your department.”
Adv Naik has further pointed out that it is further seen that some mutation files, at the end of every month, are casually and routinely dismissed by the Office of Mamlatdar by citing the reason “dismissed for non-prosecution”. It appears that this is done to create a record that there is no pendency before the concerned Mamlatdar, he added.
Saying the arbitrary practice in disposing selective mutation applications without following a uniform practice, has caused inconvenience to the public, the Association has requested the Mamlatdar to ensure that this issue requires to be resolved at the earliest.
Some remedial measures
One, all mutations applications where in the Occupants Column, only the names of the Vendors/Sellers are reflected and there are no other third party entries, the mutation should be done directly without the need to send any notice to the parties. In such cases, the Sale Deed itself gives NOC for mutation and as such no further notice is required to be sent.
Secondly, all the pending cases of mutation, which are pending for finalisation for a period exceeding 30 days, should be taken up on priority and the same should be disposed within 30 days.
In all cases, where the mutation application is not decided within a period of 30 days, the concerned Mamlatdar should be made to give reasons/ explanation for non-disposal.
It was also suggested to maintain a register to record the date on which the mutation application is received and also the stage at which the same has reached. Such register should provide the status of all the mutation applications, till the conclusion and final entry. If possible, this data, should also be made available for online viewing.
