BANGALORE: Apart from property tax collection works, that started recently, revenue inspectors working in Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) now have the additional ‘burden’ of issuing Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) as the drive was launched on Monday.
The BBMP has 198 wards but there are only 400 Revenue Inspectors (RI) to handle them. But the actual sanctioned number of RI posts is 440. According to a senior official from BBMP, there are very few RIs who have to handle 198 wards. “Property tax is one of the most important tasks that the RIs execute every year. With a target of collecting `1,800 crore property tax, the RIs are also given additional job of issuing EPIC,” the official said.
As per the census (2011), Bangalore’s population is 84,17,886 of which 65,42,118 are above 18 years and are eligible to vote. However, only 52,19,725 voters have EPIC. “Now, RIs have been asked to supervise the task of issuing cards to these many people,” official sources said.
When contacted B F Patil, BBMP Additional Commissioner said that since it is day one, people concerned are setting up the system. “It is too early to give any response. But after two days, we would be able to give the clear picture,” he said.
A revenue inspector said, there was poor response on day one. “Not many people came to their ward office to get their EPIC done. In a city like Bangalore, people have no time on weekdays. We are expecting more people during weekends,” he said.
He further said that they received many calls from the voters. “Voters are interested in getting their EPIC done. But they are asking us to stay till late night. First of all we are burdened with property tax, socio-economic survey and EPIC drive. Don’t we need some time for ourselves. After all, we too have a family and it is not possible for us to stay till late night,” the RI said.