Two months since the launch of K-Smart online service delivery system in 93 urban local bodies in Kerala, a total of 6 lakh files have been handled through it, with around 85% of them disposed of, according to data gathered from the Information Kerala Mission (IKM). The processing of building permit applications which was slow to take off through the system, due to the need to train the licensees, has also begun to improve in recent weeks.
Out of 42,100 birth registration applications submitted through KSMART since January 1, a total of 37,100 applications have been approved till now, while 16,810 out of 20,800 death certificate applications have been cleared. For marriage registrations, out of the 9,500 applications, 8,200 applications have been cleared till now. As many as 2,021 couples have got their marriage certificates through ‘Video KYC’, by which certificates can be obtained through video conferencing, without visiting the registrar office.
Building permits began to be processed through K-Smart only in the past two weeks, during which period 1,137 self-certified applications were issued. Building permits for low-risk buildings below 10 metres in height can be obtained online immediately through the self-certification process. For high-risk buildings, different levels of inspections will be required, but the clearing of the application will have to be done within the stipulated time if all the conditions are satisfied. Till now, 84 applications for general permits for high-risk buildings have been cleared.
