When Mr Faleiro comes calling on expat communities, perhaps he should be asked about the mess called the Office of the Custodian of Evacuee Property.
I have sent in a query under the Right to Information Act 2005 on August 14, 2007 and still await a response: >From Frederick Noronha Freelance Journalist House No 784 Near Lourdes Convent Saligao 403511 Bardez Goa August 14, 2007 Phone 0832.2409490 Mobile 9970 157402 To, Public Information Officer Evacuee Property Captain of Ports Building Panjim 403001 Goa Sir/Madam, Sub: Application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (Central Act No. 22/2005). I wish to apply for the following information, under the Right to Information Act (Central Act 22 of 2005): * List of properties, size and approx value currently held by the Custodia of Evacuee Property. * Approximate number, and area, of properties in the list which have been encroached upon since being taken charge of by the Custodian of Evacuee Properties? * Number of employees and lists of names and designation of this department? * Whether the department has published its citizens' charter, and if not reasons for delay. Also, if not yet published, when is the same likely to be published? I am herewith paying the application fee (Rs 10) by way of affixed court fee stamp. If you are of the view that the above requested information does not pertain to your department, then please follow the provisions of Section 6(3) of the RTI Act 2005. Also, as per the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005, kindly provide the details (including name and designation) of the first appellate authority w.r.t. your reply to the above request, before whom I may, if required, file my first appeal. Thanking you, Sincerely yours, [Frederick NJ Noronha] The Department of Information directory lists the Evacuee of Property (Captain of Ports Blding) phone number as 2235866. Nobody lists this phone. While I traced the mobile number of the former Custodian, he told me that there was no staff there and the office was "totally paralised". The current Custodian is one Mr Agarwal (mobile 9423 884900). On phoning him, he told me he had taken charge in August end and would check up the application when he visited office tomorrow. Transfers apart, the government departments are meant to be ongoing entities, and are expected to continue functioning regardless of who is in the seat and who isn't. When the government sheds tears over its concern for expats, the manner in which it handles expat property is a test of where its words meet intention and execution. FN -- Frederick Noronha http://fn.goa-india.org Ph 0091-832-2409490 12000+ downloadable, sharable hi-res photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/
