Government to crack down on building number fraud in local bodies

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After obtaining the report of the Director of Urban Affairs Arun K Vijayan, who is investigating whether there is any fraud in other local bodies similar to the building number irregularities in Kozhikode Corporation, the government will launch a crackdown on concerned sections. Officials who have no technical knowledge, including those related to Sanchaya software that issues building permits for buildings, will be removed from key positions. Action will be taken against officials who are not willing to learn about the e-governance system. The government is planning to take action due to the conclusion that many of the officials who are assigned to use the software are handing it over to lower-level officials due to inexperience and many of the lower officials are taking bribes and committing fraud. The government will also check whether the numbers were given to buildings constructed by filling up the field.

A circular has been issued to the local body heads stating that the user ID and password of the Sanchaya software should be kept confidential and that the officer concerned will be held accountable for the lapses.