Running around pillar to post to locate govt offices in Mandya

Majority of departments are in private buildings

Those visiting Mandya on government work are truely a harassed lot. They have to run around in circles to locate the offices. It is 63 years since the district has come into existence.

However, even today more than ten government departments do not have their own buildings. All of them are in rented buildings. In and around the deputy commissioner’s office, the horticulture, animal husbandry, women and child welfare, zilla panchayat and tahsildar offices are located.

This has benefitted not only the urbanites but also people from rural areas.
But mines and geology department, social welfare department, taluk office, district census office, women and child welfare taluk office are all situated in private buildings.

Dr B R Ambdekar Development Corporation, slum development board, cooperation department, legal metrology department and labour officers’ and labour relief commissioner’s department and a few other departments are also in private buildings and each office is located in different localities.

It becomes a nightmare for rural people who come to get their work done to go in search of these offices. Also as there are no bus facilities to many of the offices located in far off extensions, they are forced to pay for the autorickshaws.

A few of the offices are also located in private residences and they do not have the facilities of a regular office as there is no place to keep the files and documents.
 Added to this they have to face security issues. These offices located in houses do not have parking facilities and there are no ramps for physically challenged which is mandatory in office buildings now-a-days.

Lakhs of rupees in rent is being paid to the offices located in private buildings. When the owners demand their premises back, then the offices have to be shifted and as a result the people are put to a lot of inconvenience.

No sign boards

There are no sign boards in front of some of the offices situated in the private buildings. A few of the boards have been damaged and they have not been repaired.
Hence, people who live in the area are also not aware which office is located in their locality and how can one expect them to direct people to the proper office.

For instance if one has to submit an application in Ambedkar corporation, then one needs an income certificate from the tahsildar office. And if a photo copy is required then once again they have to go to the main road. All one does is run around in circles. If all the offices are situated in one place, it will be convenient for everyone, said K Shashikumar, a resident.