'Unfilled vacancies causing unhealthy situation in revenue dept'

Revenue department should be a transparent and clean department. It should update with time, said Revenue Minister Kagodu Timmappa.

He was speaking after inaugurating Revenue Day 2017 at Town Hall in Mangaluru on Sunday. He said unlike older days, the documents such as Record of Rights are computerised today for the convenience of the people. However, there is room for more progress, all the departmental functions should be computerised, he felt.

Accepting that unfilled vacancies and stagnant process of promotions for the Revenue department employees has caused an unhealthy situation, he said that earlier the government would do the direct recruitment. But now, appointment for most of the posts is done by the KPSC. There is no room for direct recruitment due to constitutional obligation. There are certain legal hurdles for the promotion of Revenue department staff.

He explained that there is shortage of staff in Survey department. The posts have remained vacant due to ineligibility of candidates.

Meanwhile, district committee of the Karnataka State Revenue Department Employees’ Association submitted a memorandum to Kagodu Timmappa and requested him to fulfill the demands including the recruitment of staff at Revenue department and timely promotions. The minister replied that he will hold a meeting with the association’s office-bearers to discuss their demands.

The government will have a committed approach towards providing housing facilities to Revenue department workers. There is a plan to build staff quarters for them. At present, funds are falling short for the same. However, the same will be procured in the days to come. The minister further said he will recommend the government to organise Revenue Day by itself.

District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai, who was the guest of honour, hoped that the order pertaining to 94 CC will be issued by the government soon. There is a lot of demand for the record of rights under 94 CC. He told the Revenue department employees to see to that no people, especially the economically-deprived, are put to difficulties because of them.

Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo presided over the programme. Moodbidri MLA K Abhayachandra Jain, Government Chief Whip in Legislative Council Ivan D’Souza, Deputy Commissioner Dr K G Jagadeesha, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kumar and Karnataka State Revenue Department Employees’ Association district committee president Seetaram K were present.