THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The revenue department has repaid the crores of rupees allocated in the budget to become smart by improving the technical facilities. Of the Rs 23 crore allocated for the financial year 2022-23 to make processes including digital resurveying more effective, the revenue department has returned Rs 20.14 crore without spending.

The revenue department repaid the money received for computerisation without spending it at a time when steps were being taken to digitise land records and make digital resurvey a reality. It is alleged that a section of the higher authorities are interested in limping with old-fashioned systems. The rule is that if the allocated money is not spent, the remaining amount has to be repaid at the end of the financial year.

Such a huge amount was allocated in the budget for developing online software related to digitization, purchasing electronic devices and completing maintenance of computer-based devices. Of this, only Rs 2.86 crore was used.

In many village offices, a printout of the receipt cannot be taken if the tax is paid. A good percentage of village and taluk offices do not have functional computers and printers. Some of the devices are out of date. The money received was wasted when the concerned officials were worried about not having AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) money for maintenance.

IT cell in charge

The IT cell functioning in the land revenue commissioner's office is responsible for the purchase of computers and related equipment. A list of the equipment required for each district should have been prepared and a departmental purchase committee should have been convened and the equipment should have been procured through e-tender. However, this did not happen. Though the amount was sanctioned on August 23, 2023, only Rs 2.86 crore was utilised in eight months. The digitisation of land records has been allocated Rs 2 crore and not a single rupee has been spent.

Software Development - Rs 1.8 crore (spent Rs 49.14 lakh).

Infrastructure and maintenance - Rs 17.05 crore (spent Rs 2.36 crore)

Will affect resurvey

Most modern equipment is essential for the digital resurvey to be carried out in 1666 villages. A good deal of printers and scanners in use are outdated. There are no timely repairs.