the goan I network
QUEPEM
Shortage of staff and inadequate office equipment have hampered operations at the Town and Country Planning office in Quepem, which has witnessed a surge in workload following a change in zone of non-settlement land by the government.
According to sources, there is an acute shortage of technical and clerical staff in the TCP office at Quepem. Some technical staff are also expected to attend meetings and other outdoor jobs on short notice, due to which all planned and normal work procedures are hampered, adding to the workload.
Besides the staff shortage, the TCP office in Quepem also suffers from insufficient office equipment.
Sources added the Quepem TCP office is not even equipped with a simple copier or xerox machine.
“To photocopy documents or files, the staff have to go to third party shops in Quepem town and if they have to make copies of A3 size and larger documents, the staff has to go to either Curchorem or Margao to get the job done.”
“Although the office can print some documents from the computer on the printer, but there is an urgent need of a large-sized automatic printer cum copier which could save time and cost too,” the source added.
Piety Fernandes of Sirvoi-Quepem was left fuming as he had been visiting the TCP office since the last 10 days and his work was still pending in the office.
Many who have submitted their files for construction were also unhappy as there was no clear answer as to when their files would be processed.
Selvy Miranda, a social worker from Borimoll-Quepem, was a bit lenient with the office staff and said there are around 20-30 applications every day.
“Although they are working hard, they can’t complete all the work due to staff shortage,” remarked Miranda.
“TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai should immediately take note of the hardship faced by the staff at the Quepem TCP and the people of Quepem. The minister must provide the department with all necessary equipment and adequate staff for smooth running of the department, so that people will not suffer due to neglect and shortcomings of the government,” Miranda added.
Although attempts were made to contact the town planner in this regard, the staff said he is available at the Quepem office only twice a week.
