THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Although permits will be available in 30 seconds for building construction applications through the local department's K-Smart software from this week, the application cannot be submitted. Application can be made only through authorized licensed building designers. The problem was that their license was not renewed.

Kerala Kaumudi had reported on September 15 that 27,000 applications were pending in the district joint director's offices. Due to this, the period was extended for six months and that period has also expired now.

Permits are issued within 30 seconds based on an affidavit from the owner and authorized licensee for buildings up to 3000 square feet. For this the licensees should be empaneled in the local department. Only licensed persons can empanel for a fee. Licensees are not able to empanel or apply through KSmart as the license is not renewed. Building owners cannot apply alone. So the situation is that the people are not benefiting even after K Smart is active.

Licenses were issued from the offices of Regional Joint Directors of Kollam, Kochi and Kozhikode earlier. With the establishment of a unified local department, the responsibility got shifted to the joint director of the respective district. The problem is that there are no trained personnel in the district offices.

• The license period is only four years
• The license must be renewed every four years.
• The immediate solution is to appoint more staff and renew the licenses.
• The problem can be solved by issuing a special order allowing empanelment of those whose license has expired.

48 lakh buildings; 55 crore records

• All the information of the building will now be available through K Smart.
• 48 lakh buildings in corporations and municipalities.
• 55 crore records of these buildings will be made part of K Smart.
• The software will contain the information of 10 previous owners of a building, including tenants.

The lives of expired licensees are in a state of chaos. People will benefit only if there are empanelled licensees.

-Kowdiar Harikumar, President, All Kerala Building Designers Organization

KSMART will have comprehensive information about buildings in the state. Permits will be available soon.

-Dr Santosh Babu

Chief Mission Director, Information Kerala Mission