Karnataka digital property registration (Dishank) app goes for a toss, applicants harassed

E-property submission is mandatory for sale, purchase, share and bank loans of properties falling within the gram panchayat limits. However, due to the failure of the government to implement the scheme using technology, property owners are struggling to get the documents. Karnataka digital property registration (Dishaank) app goes for a toss while applicants are harassed and made to wait for months.  

Form-9 and Form-11 will be issued online using e-asset software to facilitate easy transfer of properties in their name. These documents can be used for property registration. But now thousands of people are running from office to office without getting e-property documents.

E-property is a money-making racket for many officials. The applicants are being harassed for not providing documents for petty reasons. There are also allegations of extortion of thousands of rupees. There have also been clashes between the officer and the applicant over the issue of e-property documents.

Applicants made to wait for months

The e-property documents should be distributed to the applicants within 45 days under Sakala. But in many cases, it is not available even for months. Two-and-a-half months ago, the rural development and revenue departments issued a joint circular to distribute e-assets using mobile phones through the Dishank app with a view to making e-assets easier for applicants.

But it was practically successful in some areas, but not properly implemented everywhere. As a result, applicants have to face more complex issues. Also, nowadays, applications for e-property are accepted through Bapuji Seva Kendras. But delivery is the only toddler walk.

Priyanka Mary Francis, Commissioner, Karnataka Panchayat Raj Commissionerate speaking to Republic said, "a pilot test was conducted in Chikkaballapur district for distribution of e-assets through Dishank app. Another version of Panchatantra-2 is yet to be updated. We will fix the problem and make arrangements for e-asset distribution through the app across the state."

Curbing corruption 

E-property has also led to large-scale corruption at the gram panchayat level. Many officials are using e-property distribution as a racket to extort money from the applicants. The applicants will be more benefited if the e-asset software is further simplified. An applicant speaking to Republic on condition of anonymity said that "e-property (khata) has been made compulsory for transfer of properties and as we constantly buy and sell land it's a hassle to wait for over 45 days as all financial transactions between the buyer and seller will be on hold. It also becomes cumbersome that at every step there will be a demand for money from a concerned authority to upload documents. The whole process of digitalisation and simplification is lost."

How does the app work and need for simplification? 

Using digitized and geo-referenced maps through the Dishaank app, developed by the Karnataka Remote Sensing Applications Centre, gram panchayat officials get details of properties within the village thana or under load. At present, applications related to e-property submitted to the gram panchayat are sent to the land survey department. The disposal of applications is being delayed due to lack of staff in the land survey department. This is also a big hurdle in acquiring e-property documents. 

Voicing for the need for simplification, Febin an app developer spoke to Republic and said that "Technology should be simplified so that applicants can get e-property documents just as they can get land records. The government has already initiated a property survey in wake of the tax revision. The same data should be further confirmed and uploaded to the e-asset software. If the applicants have tax dues, they should develop a software to enable them to download by paying tax and paying the application fee, allowing them to easily access the e-property."

How many applications are pending?

A total of 49,288 applications, including 35,457 Form-9 applications and 13,831 Form-11B applications, are pending in the state. Of these, 14,021 applications were within 45 days and 35,267 applications were not disposed of for more than 45 days.

What's the problem?

1) The PDO, gram panchayat secretary and operators who are responsible for the distribution of e-assets should be trained.

2) Not only the gram panchayat officials, but also the applicants need to be trained on the use of the new app.

3) When the application is submitted, it should correct the technical difficulties in going to the RDPR Dishank app.

4) The gram panchayat general body approval for e-property distribution should be limited to problematic applications.

5) Rs 200 is required to get an e-property through the RDPR Dishank app. The application fee for availing the land survey department is Rs 800 which has been fixed and should be reduced.