Punjab, February 27:
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government has directed that citizens’ work in government offices should be handled efficiently and on a priority basis. However, blatant disregard for these orders was observed at the Sub-Registrar Office (East) in Transport Nagar, where a large crowd gathered for document verification. Recently, around 450 people had taken appointments for verification, leading to thousands of citizens arriving at the office for registry-related work.
From 9 AM onwards, people stood in queues waiting for their turn, but even after hours of waiting, their number did not come up. This led to frustration among the crowd, resulting in chaos and protests inside the office. The situation resembled a crowded vegetable market, with people pushing and shoving to get ahead. Despite this disorder, the administration took no steps to address the citizens’ grievances.
Arguments with Staff and Administrative NegligenceEmployees, including registry clerks and readers, were seen giving priority to select agents who entered through the back door to get their documents verified quickly. This caused resentment among the general public, but their objections were ignored.
On this day, a total of 450 regular appointments and 15 urgent appointment slots were booked, leading to an overwhelming crowd at the office. However, the authorities paid no heed to the difficulties faced by the citizens, which only fueled public frustration. Several individuals were seen arguing with the staff.
Deadline Approaching: Relief Period Ends on February 28The Punjab government had provided relief until February 28, allowing registries for plots below 500 square yards purchased before July 31, 2024, based on old documents or prior agreements. With this deadline approaching, the number of appointments at registration offices has increased from 250 to 450 per day. This surge has resulted in severe mismanagement, causing inconvenience to the public.
About The Author
