In a bid to boost the sagging image of the Mangalore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) among citizens, the authority has launched a helpdesk that would operate as a single-window system for accepting applications from Monday.
In an informal discussion with reporters, MUDA Commissioner Mohammad Nazeer said the helpdesk would offset, to some extent, the negative impression of the Authority.
“Till now, most people hesitated to come to the office, and instead chose touts and agents to do handle their applications. With the helpdesk, we hope it will help save time and energy of the applicants,” he said. The desk would operate from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. daily.
From conversion of land, to obtaining No Objection Certificates, to approval for single site layout, the helpdesk would accept all documents. “The desk would point out to the applicant if there are any documents lacking. Before, it would have to go to the surveyors and planners before being rejected. Now, rejections will be reduced,” he said.
Feedback feature
Apart from the helpdesk, another step to improve transparency includes a feedback feature on their >website . The website is in the process of uploading the survey map of MUDA area put up – wherein, any citizen can see the dimensions, conditions of land use of his/her property, he said.
Computerisation
Mr. Nazeer said the Authority was on a computerisation spree to ensure applications are dealt with at the earliest. While the Tapal section is computerised, by next week, applications for conversions will also be computerised. This will reduce the time to process an application from a minimum seven days to three days, he said. “Our surveyors used to look at the physical map, and sketch out the plot using scale. Now, it can be seen online, and area measured immediately,” he said, and added that MUDA was undecided on charging an additional fee of Rs. 30 on the applicant.
However, he admitted to problems in speeding up other NOC (no objection certificates) and single site layout approvals. Out of five sanctioned posts for field officials for site inspection, only two were working. “We get around 30 applications per day, and one official can visit a maximum of 10 sites in a day,” he said.
For information on applications or complaints about MUDA, call Commissioner Mohammad Nazeer at 0824-2459565, 9449221435, or log on to mudamangalore.com
The desk would operate from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. daily.
