THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It has been found that the dearth of experience among the new IAS sub-collectors is behind the delay in the land conversion process in the revenue department. More than two and a half lakh applications are pending. About 400 online applications are received daily.

RDOs are authorized to dispose of applications. But 16 out of 27 RDO offices are in charge of sub-collectors. Along with the fresh cadres in IAS, many officers hail from other states, which makes it difficult for them to easily get a know-how of things. Only RDOs with years of experience can work speedily and dispose of the applications at the earliest. The new batch of IAS cadres are not keen on fast-tracking the process in fear of receiving a black mark in their book for any errors committed.

There are 38,203 applications under Fort Kochi RDO limits. 20,647 applications are pending in Thrissur and 21,300 in Kozhikode.

Minister K. Rajan will call a meeting of sub-collectors and RDOs as soon as the election code of conduct is over. The Governor signed a bill on April 27 to empower 78 Deputy Collectors to process applications in addition to RDOs. Their appointment will take place only if the code of conduct is changed.

As the monsoon season approaches, the workload of the revenue officers will increase. It will go to emergency matters like damage assessment and coordination of relief camps.