Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government has issued a notification increasing the cost of various certificates like survey plan, conversion charges, etc availed by people offline. The same services are, however, available free of cost online with Revenue Department claiming the hike has come after a gap of seven or eight years.
As per the notification, Forms I and XIV which used to cost Rs 15 is now priced at Rs 45, while the fee for a survey plan of one holding has increased from Rs 60 to Rs 180. Similarly, inspection of a survey plan has increased to Rs 50 from Rs 10.
Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte said the increase followed after no objection was received to a pre-notification issued earlier. “The marginal increase in costs was pre-notified and was kept open for views, suggestions and objections, and based on this it was notified. Nevertheless, the certification are available free of cost online. We are trying to encourage IT-enabled services. Soon Form I and Form XIV, Form D will also be introduced online at no cost to the people,” he told Herald.
Meanwhile, the survey and inspection plan will cost an applicant a ‘marginal’ cost considering various factors.
“All availing services offline from the CSC including Form I and Form XIV have seen a marginal increase in fees since 2010. The increase is in tune with the type of facilitation services being provided, time bound services, ensuring accountability, and avoiding repeated visits of applicants to the office. However, online public services are free of cost. E-signature on Form I and Form XIV will also be available online at no cost,” the minister had said last week.
