26 software will be combined to stall malpractices at local bodies; retinas of officials to be used as password to access computers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: To avoid the scams, including giving permits to buildings, and using the loopholes in the software used in local bodies from Corporations to Grama Panchayats, the government is coming up with a unified software called K-Smart. Information Kerala Mission (IKM) has developed this software, which will be introduced on a test basis in January.

K-Smart can be used as a web portal and mobile app. Services such as file tracking, trade license, complaint redressal, etc. will be available from January on a test basis. The software will be fully functioning from August.

Currently, Corporations, Municipalities, and Panchayats have different software for each service.

Twenty-six software that are used to handle birth certificates, death certificates, marriage registration, payment of taxes, building permits, welfare pensions, etc. will be combined.

The IKM developed K-Smart after former Minister, MV Govindan, ordered a new software to counter the growing malpractice where the computers of officials, without their knowledge, were used to provide building permits and occupancy.

The computer password will be the retinas of the eyes, which cannot be hacked by anyone else. It means that the officials must show their faces in order to get access to their computers. Moreover, for the official to continue using the computer, he must enter the OTP that will be sent to his mobile phone.

Many banks are using this system. With this, no one else can use computers for malpractice. The officials cannot also absolve themselves of responsibility if their computers are used for any wrong purposes. The software is developed by using modern technology such as blockchain and artificial intelligence.

Currently, the panchayats are using government-made Sanketham software. In municipalities and corporations, except Kozhikode, private software is used. The Kozhikode Corporation is using Suvega software.

The K-Smart project is allowed Rs.23 cores from the Kochi Smart City fund. Local Self-Governments Minister, MB Rajesh reviewed the project development. The software is being developed by more than 50 people. However, the only issue now faced is the scarcity of Java developers.