Lawyers warn of intensified agitation as concerns over alleged corruption, delays and lack of accountability in mutation and partition proceedings persist.
MARGAO
Perhaps for the first time in recent memory,men in black coats stepped out of the courtrooms and took to the streets ofMargao in an unprecedented protest to expose alleged corruption in mutationproceedings and demand transparency in the system.
Around 200 lawyers, under the banner of theSouth Goa Advocates Association, protested at the Matanhy Saldanhaadministration complex, prompting the government to take cognisance of theirgrievances and initiate corrective measures.
South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus moved swiftlyto address the concerns by dismantling the mutation cell, reshuffling staff,organising special mutation camps and introducing a Standard OperatingProcedure (SOP), among other measures.
But will these interventions be enough to stemthe rot in the offices of mamlatdars and joint mamlatdars, who are responsiblefor handling and disposing of mutation cases? More importantly, will they bringrelief to harassed litigants, ensure transparency and accountability, andfinally put an end to the alleged corruption plaguing the system?
Lawyers flag harassment, missing files
South Goa Advocates Association presidentAntonio Clovis da Costa said persistent harassment of lawyers and litigants atmamlatdar offices had left the association with little choice but to stage aprotest.
“There was no proper system in place for thedisposal of mutation cases. Lawyers and litigants were left at the mercy ofclerks who virtually ruled the roost in these offices. Files would go missingfrequently, forcing litigants to restart the entire process. Even before theactual proceedings could begin, lawyers and litigants had to make countlesstrips to the mamlatdar offices,” he said.
Another major grievance was theadministration's failure to initiate inquiries into complaints of harassmentallegedly lodged against mamlatdars and joint mamlatdars.
“Despite complaints being submitted againstthe officers, nobody was willing to order an inquiry or investigate theallegations. It appeared that these officers were above the law. With no actionforthcoming, the lawyers had no option but to take to the streets,” da Costasaid.
Corrective measures
He, however, acknowledged that the situationhad begun to improve following the intervention of Collector Cleetus, who movedto address some of the issues flagged by the association.
“She has initiated some measures, includingdismantling the mutation cell, reshuffling staff and readjusting villagejurisdictions. However, there is still a long way to go before these measurestranslate into tangible changes on the ground,” he said.
Da Costa added that the Collector had alsosought suggestions from the advocates association for modifications to the 2024SOP, with the objective of streamlining mutation proceedings and ensuringgreater transparency.
Delaysin partition cases
After the protest prompted action by thedistrict administration, the association is now demanding similar action by theDirectorate of Settlement and Land Records. “Partition cases are piling up, andboth lawyers and litigants can explain the nature of harassment at the surveyoffice. We want immediate action by the Directorate before the associationintensifies the ongoing agitation,” da Costa warned.
While the administration's intervention hasraised hopes of corrective action, lawyers maintain that the real test will liein effective implementation, accountability and ensuring that mutation casesare disposed of within a transparent and time-bound framework.
For the litigants who have long struggled withmissing files, repeated visits and alleged harassment, the expectation issimple: an efficient, accountable and corruption-free mutation process.
