Motorbikes for village officers soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Around 1,634 government motorbikes will soon be rolled out in the streets of the state for village officers under the Revenue Department to provide them with better means of mobility. The village officers in the state will then be able to move to every nook and corner coming within their jurisdiction. Non-availability of vehicles had been badly affecting the functioning of the village offices as the officials had to find their own mode of transport for their official duties. Those who use their own vehicles are now not paid any travel allowance. Revenue Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan told ‘Express’ that a departmental-level decision had been taken to purchase motorbikes for village officers. The vehicles will be owned by the government and it could be used by the officials of the respective village offices.‘’Mobility is a major issue in all the village offices as the officials are not able to reach various places without a vehicle. Providing more facilities for the village officers will improve the efficiency of the officials,’’ the minister said. Tax collection can be done more effectively if there is better mobility for the officials and it will bring in more revenue to the government. The functioning of village offices will be strengthened with computerisation, online facility and easy mode of transport. The minister said that the purchase of the vehicles will be through tender process. The type of vehicle to be purchased had not yet been decided. Though the vehicles will be provided to the officials there will be guidelines for using them which will be prepared by the department. A fixed amount will be provided as petrol allowance by the government, which will also be worked out according to the usage of the officials. Village officers had pointed out that there were allegations of corruption in the functioning of the offices regarding issuance of certificates. Usually, the village officials have to visit the locations in their locality for verification before issuing certificates like caste certificate, community certificate and possession certificate, which were now not done properly. The decision of the Revenue Department to supply motorbikes is expected to give a boost to the functioning of the department. As the conservation of government land and trees come under the jurisdiction of the Revenue Department, better mobility for officials will help check encroachment of land as officials would be able to reach the spot quickly.