HUBBALLI: The govt introduced the E-Aasthi system in March 2023 to prevent fraud in the sale and transfer of properties. However, HDMC is making citizens run from pillar to post for 8-9 months to obtain a certificate. Personnel handling the process are allegedly demanding bribes to issue E-Aasthi certificates. Many a times, they say the applicant’s file is lost and insist they re-submit it.
Mayur Patil, a private employee from Suvidha Colony, Hubballi, said that he applied for E-Aasthi on March 20, 2024. “Officials at HDMC Zone-6 kept telling me to come back next week. After 8 months, they are now telling me that my file is lost following change of staff. When we approached the HDMC commissioner, they have asked me to re-submit my application, saying they will issue it in a day. However, my question is howcan our applications go missing from the HDMC office? Many citizens said that if we pay a bribe, we will get it within a week or else we will have to keep visiting the office,” he shared.
Sunanda Bharamagoudar, a homemaker, said that she applied for E-Aasthi in April 2024, at the HDMC Zone-8 office. “After a week of submitting the application, a staff member called us and demanded a Rs 2,000 bribe to process the application. When we refused to pay, he said he will issue it after the Lok Sabha election. However, we have not recieved it to date,” she shared.
Vinayak Madiwalar, a house owner in Sattur, said that he has been visiting the HDMC Zone-12 office for 6 months for E-Aasthi documents, in vain. “They have been giving one reason or the other. We have deferred our son’s marriage as the sale of our house is delayed,” he complained.
When contacted, Ishwar Ullagaddi, HDMC commissioner, admitted that delay was due to E-Aasthi software being connected to Kaveri software. “After this development, 70-80% of applications were getting rejected and only 10% of applications were being processed smoothly. Length and breadth columns were being left vacant, but Kaveri was asking for all details. As we brought it to the notice of the govt through the urban development department, they rectified it a week ago. The whole procedure will be streamlined in a week. Now there is no limit to upload applications, and we can issue E-Aasthi certificates in 2-3 days,” he added.
