KOLLAM: The revenue department's allocation for computerization this year has been reduced from Rs 15 crore to Rs 7.5 crore as employees, including those in village offices, suffer because of outdated computers. The finance department recovered half the amount as the administrative approval for the project was not obtained from the Land Revenue Commissionerate even as the financial year is about to end. At least 300 new computers are needed in each district. 19.5 crores out of 22 crores allocated was wasted by the revenue department in the last financial year.

No new computers and accessories were purchased last year. The Land Revenue Commissionerate had given the same project recommendation to the government as last time. Only 15 crores were allotted this time because of the huge waste of money last year. It takes 45 days to complete the tender for the purchase of new equipment. There are also concerns about whether new equipment can be purchased with the cut in funding, with barely two months to go before the end of the financial year.

The lifespan of computers set by the government is seven years. Taluk offices and village offices mostly have computers provided before 2017. Very few computers were provided after 2018. The Land Revenue Commissionerate has been receiving requests from all the districts to replace the damaged computers with new computers. The State IT Cell of the Land Revenue Commissionerate is responsible for the implementation of IT projects.

Disadvantage is manifold

Most offices do not have a printer or scanner. There are additional pages on land reclassification applications. A sheet feeder scanner is required to scan these. Village offices have KFON connection but no modem. Multiple software are present for different services. Not much effort is put into implementing unified software.