For past several years, many Sattari Taluka panchayats are running without full-time talathis, Of the 12 panchayats only six are having full time talathi. These include Keri, Poriem, Honda, Pissurlem, Morlem and Nargargao Panchayat. The remaining six Bhironda, Khotodem, Savardem, Dongurli Thane, Mauxi and Guleli – do not have a regular talathi. A talathi, who has been given additional charge, visits these six panchayats only twice a week.
Besides this, the Valpoi Mamlatdar office also does not have a full time Talathi. In Valpoi Municipality area there are ten wards and around 6,500 citizens who are suffering because their work is not done in time for lack of talathis.
Now all locals are demanding the State government to depute a full-time Talathi in the remaining six panchayats and also in the Valpoi Mamlatdar office.
“Villagers are not getting caste certificates, birth certificates, residence and other certificates on time. There is always delay in getting these certificates. To obtain the above certificates, villagers have to make numerous visits to the panchayat,” say locals.
The six panchayats do not have a full time talathi because they (talathis) are given additional charge for the last two years.
“A talathi is very important as far as the development of rural villages is concerned, to sort out the land problems and issue various certificates. But without a talathi, people are facing hurdles to get their work done on time,” another villager said.
In Valpoi Mamlatdar office, the talathi is available on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. “We are getting certificates, like residence, income or caste, after two or three weeks,” says Shivaji Gaonkar, a local from Velus village.
In Bhironda Panchayat, the talathi is available on Tuesday and Thursday. On Tuesday the talathi is available only for half day and the whole day on Thursday. “Our villagers are facing many problems, due to non availability of a talathi in our panchayat. Now we will pass on the resolution adopted during Gram Sabha to the Valpoi Mamlatdar,” says Nitin Shivdekar, Bhironda Sarpanch.
