Lights out at state govt's Survey Office

The Survey Office at Santa Cruz (W), one of the state government''s largest revenue-earning departments, is groping in the dark. Literally. For the last two weeks, the office has no electricity due to non-payment of dues amounting to Rs 2 lakh.
The first floor office on S V Road, which deals with land records, has over 100 employees who are now working either in darkness or in the faint sunlight that streams in through the windows.
When it gets too dark, "we have no alternative but to light candles to be able to see the files and to look for documents from cupboards and almirahs," says Survey Officer J B Desai.
"But we cannot make much use of candles for fear that if the flame touches any paper, the records can get destroyed. It''s a fire hazard."
The department''s jurisdiction stretches over Bandra, Juhu, Sahar, Andheri and Goregaon. It deals with top builders and nets the state lakhs in revenue every month. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also needs the department''s approval before issuing letters of order to builders, while verification of house transfers isare also done by this office.
"Normally, 150 people visit our office every day. Because of the darkness, they cannot conduct their business properly. It''s a bigger problem for senior citizens and the ill. They have to climb up the stairs, and the heat is unbearable. We are bringing cold water from the BMC office downstairs to offer visitors," says an employee.
To top it all, the computer section, which stores vital data of structures, has been shut down because of the power problem.
Desai says that they have intimated the problem to the state Revenue Ministry. "But no step has been taken so far to pay the outstanding bills," he says agitatedly. Earlier, the office''s telephone was disconnected for one-and-a-half years for non-payment of bills.
"The line was restored just three days ago," says an employee.
Says Minister of State for Revenue and Rehabilitation Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar, "I'' not aware of the matter. I''ll inquire into it."