Mangaluru: Public anger flared up at the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) office on Tuesday as residents protested against prolonged delays in the issuance of birth and death certificates, forcing many to wait in long queues for hours.
Long wait ends in frustration
Citizens who had gathered at the corporation office alleged that they had been waiting since early morning in the hope of getting their documents processed. However, their patience ran out when officials reportedly opened the counter only around 3 pm and announced that just 20 tokens would be issued for the day.
The announcement triggered immediate outrage among the crowd, with many expressing disbelief and frustration over the limited number of tokens despite the large turnout.
Over 100 people stage protest
More than 100 people assembled in front of the counter and raised slogans against the authorities, accusing the department of inefficiency and lack of planning. Protesters questioned the fairness of the system and demanded accountability from officials.
Several individuals claimed that they had been visiting the office repeatedly over the past week but were unable to complete their work due to delays and procedural bottlenecks.
Citizens highlight inconvenience
Many of those present stated that they had taken leave from work and arrived early in the morning to secure their documents. The decision to issue only a limited number of tokens late in the day was described as unreasonable and insensitive to the public’s time and effort.
Residents also pointed out that birth and death certificates are essential documents required for various legal and administrative purposes, making such delays particularly burdensome.
Demand for better arrangements
The agitating citizens urged the corporation to streamline the process and introduce better crowd management systems. Suggestions included increasing the number of counters, issuing more tokens, and adopting digital solutions to reduce the need for repeated physical visits.
They emphasised that basic civic services must be delivered efficiently and without unnecessary hardship to the public.
Tense situation at the office
The situation remained tense for some time as officials attempted to manage the crowd and restore order. While no major untoward incidents were reported, the protest highlighted growing dissatisfaction among residents over delays in essential services.
Conclusion
The incident underscores the urgent need for administrative reforms and improved service delivery at civic offices. Ensuring timely access to important documents like birth and death certificates is crucial, and authorities may need to take immediate steps to address public grievances and prevent such incidents in the future.