THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a recent decision aimed at addressing longstanding concerns, Kerala’s Local Self-Government Minister has announced that commercial licences for establishments situated in buildings constructed before the enforcement of current building regulations will continue to be renewed. This policy shift was confirmed during a local adalat held in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.
The decision comes in response to a specific complaint lodged by Ashwathi BS of Attingal, who faced significant challenges in obtaining a commercial licence for her establishment, which is located in an older building. The issue stemmed from the K-SMART system, which currently prevents licence applications for buildings that cannot be reclassified under the new regulations. The minister’s directive aims to rectify this by maintaining the existing licensing arrangements for these older buildings, thus providing a viable solution for affected establishments.
Minister announced that a general order will be issued to formalise this approach for all similar cases. The K-SMART system, which manages licence applications, will be updated accordingly to incorporate this new policy. The minister also highlighted that all pending applications that are legally resolvable will be addressed through district-level local adalats. These forums are designed to resolve community issues efficiently, with permanent adalat committees convening every 10 days at the taluk level, every 15 days at the district level, and monthly at the state level.
Of the approximately 10,000 complaints received through the adalat system, 66% have been resolved, with ongoing efforts to address the remaining issues. The district-level adalats have resolved a significant number of complaints, including those from earlier sessions. Additionally, the adalat has enacted broader policy changes, such as reducing the mandatory holding period for houses built with government financial assistance from 10 years to seven years.
Minister underscored the necessity of amending around 106 rules to clear regulatory ambiguities and enhance clarity. The minister assured that all complaints received directly during the adalat will be addressed promptly. Food and Civil Supplies Minister also participated in the adalat, underscoring the government’s commitment to resolving public grievances and streamlining administrative processes.
