Mangaluru: Though strict instructions have been given to install display boards on Sakala services in front of every government office, no such boards have been installed in Mangaluru city so far.
Surprisingly, a board on Sakala services was installed at the Deputy Commissioner’s office just before the visit of K Mathai, an administrative officer of the Sakala Mission who was in Mangaluru to attend an awareness programme at the DC’s office on Tuesday, October 16. During the awareness programme, social activist and Nagarika Hitharakshana Vedike President Hanumantha Kamath informed that no government office in Mangaluru city has installed the display board till date. “Though it is mandatory that services under Sakala should be provided within a stipulated period, officials don’t take applications under Sakala in order to avoid providing swift service. Also, no endorsement has been given to the applicants, which has led to the failure of Sakala in Mangaluru,” he said.
Responding to the complaint, Mathai said that he had also observed that there was no display board at Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC). “Though there is a board at the DC’s office, it seems to have been installed today itself. As it is mandatory to install such display boards in all government offices, measures should be taken to install these boards immediately,” he said.
No single appeal (complaint) filed from DK district
Meanwhile, Mathai said, “It is mandatory to display Sakala services on a board and have a counter for the same at all government offices. Officials are bound by time to deliver service. For each day of delay, a minimum fine of Rs 20 and a maximum of Rs 500 is payable to citizens. To get information or to lodge a complaint, one can contact the call center number 080-44554455 or can check the website: www.sakala.kar.nic.in. However, it is very sad that no single complaint has been filed from the Dakshina Kannada district, seeking action against any government office or complaining of delay in service delivery.”
Asking the people to make use of Sakala, Mathai added, “Sakala is a scheme which assures the timely delivery of government services to citizens. In all, Sakala offers 897 services under various departments. There is a plan to add 1000 more services under this scheme as additional services.”
Social activists like G K Bhat, Padmanabha Ullal, among others, also complained against the government officials, claiming that Sakala has not been implemented properly in the Dakshina Kannada district. In response to these complaints, Mathai asked the public to give their suggestions and complaints in writing, saying that it will help the department to rectify the problems immediately.
