Parliamentary Secretary to Revenue Minister Pramod Madhwaraj directed officials to clear all the pending files related to the Revenue Department which are more than a year old, within six months.
Speaking at a public contact programme here on Friday, he said the delay in the disposal of files in the department has become a burden for the general public.
Files, which are more than 10 years old, are still pending for disposal in the department. All the old files should be disposed within six months, he said.
Madhwaraj said, “I have collected information on the number of pending files in the taluk office from the Revenue Department. I will seek details on it from each official. The files should be cleared within the stipulated time. Even after implementing Sakala (a scheme which aims at mandatory delivery of government services in a time-bound manner), about 60 per cent of the files are pending in the department.”
He said the officials should avoid inordinate delay in the disposal of files. Subhash Baliga of Sullia said that he has failed to get compensation for the land given for government projects even after 42 years. Additional Deputy Commissioner Kumar said that a proposal has been sent to the Revenue Department seeking Rs 20 lakh as compensation for the acquisition of land in six cases.
Ramanna Kotian of Moodbidri and Ibrahim of Konaje said that files have not been disposed of in the Survey Department even after four years. Madhwaraj directed the officials to clear the files within a month.
A few complainants said that they are not getting the title deeds for sites distributed by the government under various schemes. Reacting to it, Madhwaraj said told the officials not to make poor to run from pillar to post. If there are any technical problems, then collect applications from such beneficiaries under 94C or 94CC of Land Revenue Act and dispose of the cases, he advised.
Advocate Mariamma Thomas urged Madhwaraj to visit the newly built mini Vidhana Soudha in Mangaluru. The building does not have proper ventilation facility. A village accountant is in charge of three to four villages. As a result, the people fail to get the village accountant for getting the work done, she said.
Ranjan Rao from Belthangady charged that Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade and his family have violated the Land Reforms Act while purchasing agriculture land. A massive fraud has taken place in Belthangady.
Madhwaraj said that he will verify the complaints.
Opposing the land acquisition for MRPL fourth phase, the residents and Gram Panchayat representatives of Kuthethoor, Permude and surrounding villages entered into a verbal dual with the officials of Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB).
William of Kuthethoor said, “The KIADB and MRPL officials had visited the villages to conduct a survey on Thursday. When we opposed it, they abused us and filed a complaint against the villagers in Bajpe police station charging us of obstructing government official from discharging his duties.”
KIADB Special Land Acquisition Officer Dase Gowda said the MRPL had sought 1050 acres land for its expansion. “The KIADB and MRPL officials did not conduct the survey. We visited the villages for spot inspection,” he said.
Though Madhwaraj said that the issue does not come under his purview, the officials and the villagers continued their arguments.