THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : ‘Sanketham’ a software to bring in transparency and standardise the issuance of building permits by municipalities will be launched on October 7.
Urban Affairs Minister Manjalamkuzhy Ali will perform the official launch of the software on Tuesday at 11 am at Thycaud Guest House in Thiruvananthapuram. The software, designed by Information Kerala Mission (IKM) with the support of Local Self Government Department, will follow the Kerala Municipal Building Rules (KMBR) and Kerala Panchayath Building Rules (KPBR) to the dot.
All matters related to issuance of building permits, including licenses for building designers under Kerala Municipal Building Rules (KMBR) will now be web-based. Registration and filing can be done using the password made available through e-mail and verification code sent to phone. There is facility to remit application fee either directly or online. The date when officials would arrive for land verification and details regarding the amount to be remitted as permit fee will be received as SMS on mobile phone.
When the construction is over, application for completion certificate can be submitted online. There is also facility to download completion certificate and occupancy certificate. The software will only accept applications that adhere to building rules.
The chances of an applicant feeding wrong information and officials misinterpreting them will be nil.
Training has been provided to officials of the various local bodies as part of shifting the process online. In the municipalities that have implemented the e-payment facility, mandatory fee can be remitted through debit card, credit card and Internet banking. Rejection of application and alerts to make corrections will be sent as SMS.