Notaries set wheels of public service in motion

Anyone visiting the Madras High Court can’t miss certain notaries functioning from mobile offices. The bold banners on their vans claim they are Government of India approved notaries and interestingly, one kind-hearted soul is even offering his services free for rain victims. 

Seventy year old V. Ramalingam who opted for notary certification after putting an active 25 years in court is one such mobile service provider. 

He says, “Competition did force me to resort to a novel way of reaching out to the public. But the satisfying part is more in being able to be of some service to the 

public. Operating from a van in the High Court has not only provided easy access to the litigating public but also allows me to offer them government rates and sometimes even less.” Ramalingam who also practices homeopathy had offered his services free for rain victims.  He says “After seeing how many people had lost all their belongings, and the number of students whose certificates were destroyed, I decided to notarise their applications free since it was the only way I could lend a helping hand to those in distress.” 

Manoharan, another notary who works out of a van says providing notary signatures at a genuine price offers immense satisfaction. “I actually have an office in the fourth floor in the court building. But for those needing the signatures, the task of walking up to the fourth floor would result in them not wanting to visit it. But now, my office on wheels has come in real handy for many to get their applications notarised in quick time.” 

A notary is a public officer appointed by the Central Government. They can authenticate, certify or attest the execution of document which confers a right or records a liability. 

There are as many as five to six such mobile notaries functioning within the High Court premises. On an average these advocates make a minimum of Rs.500 per day and on certain days it can cross Rs 1000. However, for these advocates, the satisfaction lies in being able to be of some service especially to the poor litigant public.