PERNEM: All is not well at Pernem municipality as staff shortage and late reporting are hampering its service to the residents of the town.
Municipal sources say that the vacancies created by the retiring staff have not been filled up.
Currently, the posts of three UDCs, three LDCs respectively in technical, engineer and accounts sections are vacant; the municipality also needs a circle inspector, a management staff and 10 labourers. Sources informed that due to opposition by councillors, the issue has remained unsolved.
During the last council meeting, the issue of vacancies was discussed. However, the council was unable to adopt resolution to fill up the vacancies as nine councillors opposed hiring new staff.
Due to this, the staffers are overburdened. The situation is so bad that the peon is issuing the income certificates. There is only one engineer in the technical section.
When Herald visited the Pernem Municipal office, leaving aside the engineer, one LDC, one driver and helper, all the other staffers were absent. It was also noticed that an UDC reported for work at around 10.15 am.
According to municipal sources, the staffers are taking advantage of the fact that the biometric reader in the office does not work.
Citizens are complaining that they are forced to visit the office several times to get their works done.
