The government often launches new digital services with big publicity, claiming to help citizens. But every time I have tried using these services, I have faced disappointment. Most government websites are outdated, and many officials handling them are not trained. For services like residence certificates or divergence certificates, the websites list documents that can be submitted as proof, but even valid documents get rejected because officials demand something else. Why not update the website with the correct list?
The IT department is no better. It took me three months to get a divergence certificate online, and only after I approached the North Goa Collector due to poor response from the Mamlatdar’s office. I was later told the software needed changes, which took 15 more days, even though the same system was running in South Goa.
Now, the government talks of AI-based services. One such traffic signal at Merces Junction ended up hanging and was removed to avoid chaos. All online services in Goa should be merged into one platform and updated regularly. Even government phones should remain switched on during office hours. I once found Sanquelim municipality’s office phone off during working hours due to ‘recharge issues’.
