Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Mar 19: Citizens visiting the Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) office for essential work are facing severe delays due to absentee officials and an inefficient system. Many applicants, particularly those seeking layout plan approvals, are left waiting endlessly with no one at the counters to assist them.

Officials responsible for urban planning are rarely available, and even when they do appear, it is often late in the evening. When questioned, they cite site visits and inspections as reasons for their absence. Instead of processing applications, they often return them with remarks requiring the owners to be present.

Public at the MUDA office (left) and the retired driver

Adding to the woes, MUDA has implemented a token system not found in most government offices. Visitors arriving in the morning receive tokens numbered 50 or 60 and are made to wait until evening. By the time their turn arrives, office hours are over, forcing them to return the next day. The following day, they must take a new token, as previous day’s tokens are discarded. Frustrated citizens complain that officials show no intent to resolve their issues efficiently.

While intermediaries are restricted from entering the office, citizens allege that officials are engaging in favouritism. According to senior citizen Yashavanth, files submitted directly to officials are cleared within two days, while those submitted through counters remain stuck indefinitely. He further alleged that unnecessary obstacles are placed before applicants unless bribes are paid.

Despite previous scandals, including the arrest of an official, Lokayukta raids, and cases of file manipulation by party workers, MUDA is now witnessing a fresh controversy. A retired driver has allegedly taken charge inside the office, arriving at 10 am daily and running operations without any accountability.

Although citizens wait the entire day for officials who never show up, some officers reportedly arrive at the office early in the morning. However, their activities remain unclear, and file processing remains stalled. Citizens argue that if files were processed daily, there would be no need for applicants to wait for days.

MUDA chairman Sadashiva Ullal acknowledged the issues, stating that key positions such as TPM-1, TPO-1, ATP-2, and land survey officer are vacant. With one officer handling multiple roles, delays are inevitable. He mentioned that he has taken up the matter with the urban development minister in Bengaluru and expressed hope that the appointment of new officers would resolve the problems.