MUTATION OF PROPERTY

 

When C A Chako had passed away on  5thApril2008, he had left behind everything in order. He had infact  left his assets through the execution of a registered will to his son, Laji.

After a few months of the sad demise of his dear father, Laji presented the documents at Village Office for effecting mutation of property.

Laji's troubles began there. 

He had to visit the Village Office four times in a row to submit the documents. He had been turned away thrice.  The reason adduced had been varied. At first  he was told the Village Officer  was on leave. The second time, he was advised that the official was deputed to the Taluk Office. And the third time Laji came to know after waiting at the Village office from morning till evening that the Village officer was out on inspection duty. There was no acting Village Officer to look after the requirements of the citizens of India in place of the incumbent who was just unavailable. Laji cursed his stars as he had to travel 30km from the place of his posting - he was staying there - to reach the Village Office. At last, the Village Officer was there when he approached the Village Office, the fourth time. The esteemed official accepted the documents Laji presented.  He was advised that suitable action would be initiated after proper verification. Though Laji asked when the mutation would be effected, he was advised it could take a maximum of  three to four months  or a minimum of a week. When Laji asked how he would know, the suggestion from the ofiicial was either Laji or his representative could visit the ofice every week to  ascertain the progress. Laji told him, he was employed 30km away and he had to avail leave for each enquiry, the curt reply was, 'It is none of my business.' The unkind brushing off was akin to banishment of the grieving Laji to a pack of wolves.

Laji was a busy official in a prominent Government organisation.  It was very difficult for him to avail leave. As Laji had no one else to appear at the Village Office, his boss had granted him leave with reluctance. The boss drew the line, at the third time. Laji was told , mutation or no mutation, no further leave would be granted to him. Laji had somehow managed to obtain leave for the fourth visit after a lot of pleading and literal thumping of his chest before the superior. He was on the verge of tears.

Surendran, Laji's friend at the place, felt bad at Laji's plight. He assured he would make enquiries at the Village Office every week on behalf of Laji and the progress would be conveyed to Laji over phone.

Laji was much relieved.

But it was too soon.

Surendran made enquiries at the Village Office during the succeeding weeks. Each time he was told by the Village Officer that as he had been very busy , he had little time to waste on such trivial matters. After three months Surendran advised Laji, nothing seemed right and the Village officer was least interested in effecting the mutation of property.

The District Collector, under whose jurisdiction the Village under reference  came, was Laji's wife Elsy's classmate for the degree and PG classes. They used to meet occasionally as a family  at each other's place. Once when they met, Laji narrated the frustrating experience he had had at the Village Office and showed the official copies of the documents that had been submitted at the Village Office. The Collector scrutinised the documents and wondered why such a simple matter was kept to vegetate.  .

He advised Laji to request  Surendran to make an  enquiry at the Village Office the next day. He  further told Laji to let him know at once whatever that  transpired there.  

As advised, Surendran visited the Village Office the next day. However, the Village Officer shouted at him. The infuriated official asked him why he was coming to the Office almost  every other day to bother him. He was told plainly, the mutation of the property of Laji was not going to happen in the near furure. He asked Surendran to get out and  never be in the precincts ever again.

Surendran, quietly slipped out. He phoned Laji and appraised him of the unsavoury reception at the Village Office.

Laji did  exactly what  the District Collector had told him to do. The Collector asked Laji to tell Surendran not to leave the premises of the Village Office.

Surendran remained there at the courtyard.

Later Surendran conveyed to Laji the aftermath.

"I heard the telephone ringing in the office.  I could hear an unending series of 'Yes Sir." Once it was over, the Village Officer came out of his office and located me. He shouted at me - why did you call the Collector. I replied I knew no collector. But I had conveyed to the people who had sent me to your office a true transcript of what had happened here when I had approached you."

"The Villlage Officer told me to bring an autoriksha as he wanted to inspect the property of Mr. Laji. I complied with the demand at once. Together we reached the property that was just 2km from the Village Office."

"Once we reached the destination, the Village  Officer stepped out of the vehicle. He stood in front of the gate. for a minute. He said, "I want a glass of lime juice and a murukkan(Pan)."

"I furnihed that immediately. The Village Officer, after satisfying his thirst, boarded the autoriksha  chewing the murukkan."

"He said he watned to return to the Village Office"

"Back at his domain he went in to his own office. He called me after ten minutes and handed over a document."

"He said, "Mutation of Mr.Laji's property has now been effected. Here is the certificate. Please acknowledge in this register."

Surendran phoned Laji and conveyed  the happy news that the mission entrusted to him had been successfully completed.

Laji at once expressed his appreciation for what Surendran had done for him.

Laji, then phoned the District Collector. He told him they as a family were deeply indebted to him for making possible the impossible.

The Collector replied that if the Government was not for the people, there was no justification for that Government to exist.

He assured  that he would always stand for the people.