TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Does it take one long year for the authorities to make one separate ration card in Salcete taluka? The functioning of the Salcete mamlatdar’s office involved in issuing ration cards has come under the scanner after a resident of Majorda cried foul over the indifference of the authorities in issuing him the ration card even after a year.
“I must have made umpteen trips to the Salcete mamlatdar’s office since the day I had submitted my application on January 31, 2013. Besides, my wife has knocked the doors of the mamlatdar’s office, but in vain”, Roland Fernandes told Herald at the district Collectorate on Monday.
“During my 30th trip to the Mamlatdar office in December last year, I was told that the officer concerned was on leave. When I again visited the office this year, I was told that the process is almost complete and the ration card is awaiting signature from the officer, who has proceeded on leave”, Roland said.
Interestingly, when Roland arrived at the mamlatdar’s office with hopes of finally receiving his ration card, he was told by an official that the lady officer has again proceeded on leave and will resume office only after a week. “I have no problem if any officer goes on leave”, he said, but demanded to know why the authorities have no system in place so take care of situations when officers proceed on leave.
When the media drew the attention of the district collector Venancio Furtado he said the administration cannot deny child care leave when requests come from female employees. “December, January, February, March and April are the months when female employees go on child care leave. Yes, there’s a problem when 60-70 per cent of the collectorate staff comprises of female employees, but the administration is working out a mechanism to address public grievances”, he said.
On the ration card episode, Furtado said he would look into the matter, even though he pointed out that demand for new and separate ration cards have soared in the last one year to avail government schemes. “Anyway, I will look into the issue, but Salcete citizens can approach me or my subordinates at Tuesday’s weekly interaction in the district collectorate”, Furtado added.
“I must have made umpteen trips to the Salcete mamlatdar’s office since the day I had submitted my application on January 31, 2013. Besides, my wife has knocked the doors of the mamlatdar’s office, but in vain”, Roland Fernandes told Herald at the district Collectorate on Monday
