Automated land conversion for RMC launched by Chief Secretary

Bhubaneswar, Aug 3: A pilot automated system for land conversion from leasehold to freehold in Rourkela Municipality Corporation (RMC) was launched by Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra today on digital mode from LoksebaBhawan in the presence of Principal Secretary Revenue and Disaster Management Bishnupada Sethi, Collector Sundargarh Nikhil Pavan Kalyan and other dignitaries. While complimenting Rourkela Municipality and district administration for application of a   progressive technological intervention, Mahapatra directed them to make the system more citizen-centric by reducing the burden of document compliances at the time of submission of the application. He directed to examine the possibilities of substituting affidavits and indemnity with self-declaration. Chief Secretary also directed to link the system with Jana seva kendras and common service centers so that citizens could submit applications from those points. Mahapatra also advised to make the provision for online submission of application and fees from individual computers so that people could do it from their home itself. Principal Secretary Sethi said that operation of the system would be closely watched and necessary modifications in existing norms would be made to further simply it for the citizens. He added that the system would be customized and updated asper feed-back from the users and stakeholders. Outlining the new intervention, Collector PavanKalyan said that in the offline system applicants had to run to Government office 5-6 times for submitting physical copies of the documents, meeting various queries etc. The applications were also to be sent to different sections and offices for verification. Besides, the applicants had no way to know the status of their applications without running to the offices.  The entire process was time consuming causing discomfort and dissatisfaction for the people. With the new digitized system the whole work will be done through automated software. On submission of the application, the office of the Additional District Magistrate would process it through the online system after verification. Online payment mode of court fees would be integrated with the system. Verification of the applications at different offices like Tahasils and Rourkela Development Authority will be done through the online system. Public notice inviting  objections, recommendation by ADM, approval by Collector, payment of conversion fees etc have been integrated with the new system. Finally, execution of the conversion deed and intimation to Tahasil in Form No-6 will also be done online.