In a decisive move to address public grievances, Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader has issued strict instructions to government officials to expedite the processing of single-site and Form 9/11 property applications. The directive came during a high-level review meeting held at the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner's office on Tuesday.
Public Inconvenience Spurs Action
Expressing clear dissatisfaction, Speaker Khader highlighted the recurring complaints from citizens facing unnecessary delays. He pointed out that applicants are often forced to make multiple rounds of various government offices to complete their Form 9/11 related work, a situation he finds unacceptable. The core issue identified was a lack of clarity regarding access roads to single-site properties, which frequently causes files to be stuck or returned.
New Measures for Clarity and Efficiency
To resolve the persistent bottlenecks, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department, Deepa Cholan, announced several key interventions. A crucial circular will be issued making an affidavit mandatory for road access details before any Form 9/11 document is granted. This affidavit must clearly state whether the access road is on government or private land.
Furthermore, to eliminate the need for applicants to run from pillar to post, a new workflow has been approved. Once the Urban Development Authority (MUDA) gives its approval, the documents will be sent directly to the concerned gram panchayats, preventing files from being shuttled back and forth between MUDA and the Urban Planning Committee.
Streamlined Processes and Monthly Adalats
In a significant step towards clearing pendency, monthly adalats (public grievance hearings) will be organized in every taluk specifically for single-site and Form 9/11 applications. For sites already approved under section 94C, an online system has been arranged to issue Form 9/11 documents within a swift 15-day window, allowing citizens to apply directly via the internet.
Deepa Cholan also noted that a fresh circular will be released within a week to ensure better coordination between the rural development and panchayat raj departments, aiming to end confusion over Form 9/11 rules often misunderstood by local officials. She added that considerations are being made for a 3.7-meter-wide road requirement in the coastal and Malnad hilly regions, and any proposed road widening will be recorded in the 9/11 document itself.
Focus on Holistic Urban Planning
Beyond procedural fixes, Speaker UT Khader emphasized the need for better urban infrastructure in residential layouts. He stressed the importance of allocating space for playgrounds, parks, and civic amenity sites, warning that unscientific constructions are a root cause of numerous urban problems.
The review meeting was attended by key officials including Urban Planning Commissioner Venkatachala, Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V., and Zilla Panchayat CEO Narwade Vinayak Karbhari, signaling a coordinated push to implement these reforms.
