2,431 files cleared at Chandigarh Estate Office in two weeks as DC cracks whip

On December 24, Chandigarh’s officiating deputy commissioner Yashpal Garg had directed the assistant estate officers and other officials concerned to clear the application backlog by January 5 and warned them of action in case of delay

In huge relief for applicants, the Estate Office has cleared 2,431 pending files in two weeks, some of them as old as four months, following strict directions by the deputy commissioner.

The Estate Office officers were directed to work beyond official hours and even on Saturdays and Sundays to clear the file pendency. (Getty Images)

On December 24, officiating deputy commissioner (DC)-cum-estate officer Yashpal Garg had directed the assistant estate officers (AEOs) and other officials concerned to clear the application backlog by January 5 and warned them of action in case of delay.

The officers were directed to work beyond official hours and even on Saturdays and Sundays to clear the pendency.

An official said most of the files pertained to transfer of property in case of death, permission for property sale and execution of sale or lease deeds.

During a review meeting on Monday, additional deputy commissioner Amit Kumar said he had cleared 933 files and 70 arms licence applications received from December 19 till January 6, and there were no more pending files with him.

Sumeet Sihag, joint excise and taxation commissioner, detailed that he had cleared all 323 applications received from December 19 to January 6.

Similarly, Sanyam Garg, AEO-1, said since taking over the charge on December 20 last year, he had cleared 671 files. Another 100-odd files pertaining to the establishment branch were pending that will be cleared in the next two days, he assured.

AEO-2 Sorabh Kumar Arora also said there were no more pending files with him after processing all 80 files received between December 19 and January 9.

AEO-3 Rajiv Tewari, who took the charge on December 25, shared that he had approved 354 files submitted to him between December 19 and January 9, while around 5% applications had been sent back for some observations and queries.

The officiating DC said another review will be held on January 12 regarding the files pending with Sanyam Garg and in case there was further delay, appropriate action will be initiated after going through the reasons for delay in each case.

Garg said he had been receiving complaints from applicants that though all formalities had been completed on their part, their applications were pending with the AEO concerned for approval.

“There is no reason to keep a file pending even for a day or two unless there are some justified/compelling circumstances. We need to clear the whole pendency through a drive to break the vicious cycle of delay and then ensure the timely disposal of fresh matters,” said Garg.

He warned the officials against invalidly rejecting applications or raising unnecessary objections just for the sake of clearing pendency, adding that he may summon any file and look into reasons for rejection. “If the rejection/objection is found invalid, the official concerned will invite strict action,” he cautioned the meeting attendees.