MARGAO: The shortage of forms for regularisation of unauthorised structures at South Goa Collectorate since the last three days has inconvenienced the public as they have been forced to return home empty-handed.
When Herald inquired about the shortage of forms, Deputy Collector Uday Prabhu Dessai said only 80 forms came to his office from the revenue sections. Since the forms have a serial number printed on it, the department does not accept print-outs or copies of the forms. Only the original form is accepted.
When asked whether there is an online service where the public can apply for regularisation of their structures, the deputy collector replied in the negative and was not sure as to when the forms will be available at his office.
Dominic Noronha, a resident of Sirlim-Dramapur, said he has been visiting the Collectorate twice in the last two days but had to go empty-handed. The authorities were not in a position to inform as to when the forms will be made available to the public.
“Since yesterday, senior citizens have been visiting the deputy collector’s office for forms. The authorities don’t realise that these people, braving the heavy rains, have to travel from their home to the Collectorate only to be informed that the forms are not available. Why do they need printed forms from the department? Why cannot the department make the forms available online for people to download or use e-services? People shouldn’t been made to visit the collectorate daily to check if the forms are available,” he said.
He said the common man is being harassed needlessly, especially when South Goa has already made most services online.
It may be recalled that on June 15, the Governor had approved the Goa Regularisation of Unauthorised Constructions (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018. The last date to submit the application forms under the Act was extended from June 15 to July 17. Till date, around 2900 forms have been received from South Goa.
