Mangaluru: Speaker U T Khader has directed officials to ensure that applications submitted under the single-site and 9/11 provisions are cleared within the stipulated time, stressing that unnecessary delays must be eliminated to make government processes more citizen-friendly. He was addressing a meeting held at the Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner’s office on Tuesday, convened to resolve ongoing issues and confusion surrounding 9/11 applications in Ullal taluk. Khader noted that numerous complaints have been received from citizens who are unable to secure approvals despite fulfilling the required conditions.

Officials urged to remove bottlenecks

Khader questioned the purpose of appointing officials if people continue to face hurdles in accessing government services. He emphasised that simplified rules introduced by the government must be implemented at the grassroots level without interpretation-related confusion. According to him, the responsibility of ensuring smooth functioning lies with the officials, who must work collaboratively to resolve delays and procedural ambiguities.

He added that citizens should not be forced to shuttle between various offices due to inadequate clarity or miscommunication among local authorities. The speaker stressed that the system must work efficiently to uphold public trust in governance.

Urban development department proposes new reforms

Principal secretary of the urban development department Deepa Cholan announced that an order will soon be issued allowing 9/11 approvals based on an affidavit regarding road access in single-site applications. Under the proposed reform, once the urban development authority grants a one-time clearance, documents will be forwarded directly to the concerned gram panchayats. This move will eliminate the need for applicants to make multiple visits to MUDA or town planning committees.

Cholan highlighted that the new mechanism aims to ease the approval process, reduce direct interactions with multiple departments, and speed up service delivery. She assured that the system will be more transparent and accountable once these changes are implemented.

Road specifications and regional considerations

The principal secretary further clarified that if road widening is required, it will be clearly stated in the 9/11 document. In hilly regions, a road width of 3.65 metres is currently permissible. Authorities are examining whether similar criteria can be applied to coastal and Malnad areas, where geographical conditions differ but citizen requirements remain similar.

Additionally, monthly adalats will be organised in every taluk to dispose of pending 9/11 and single-site applications. These adalats are expected to significantly reduce backlogs and ensure faster clearances, especially in areas facing higher volumes of applications.

Weekly instructions to avoid misinterpretation

To prevent confusion in interpreting 9/11 rules, the rural development and panchayat raj departments will work in coordination with urban development authorities. Cholan said a weekly circular will be issued to local officials directing them to grant approvals promptly and avoid delays arising from ambiguity or misinformation.

She noted that several incidents have come to light where citizens faced hardships due to inconsistent interpretation of rules by officials. These cases will be reviewed to ensure such problems do not recur.

Online approval for 94C converted sites

Khader further announced that for 94C converted sites, 9/11 construction permissions will be issued within 15 days through an online system. Citizens will be able to file applications directly via the portal, without needing to visit multiple offices. The speaker said the move will enhance transparency and cut down procedural delays.

He also stressed the importance of reserving adequate space for playgrounds, parks, and civic amenities in all residential layouts. Khader pointed out that unscientific construction is leading to long-term urban challenges, and protecting open spaces is essential for future generations.

Senior officials participate in review meeting

The meeting saw the participation of MUDA president Sadashiva Ullal, town planning commissioner Venkatachala, deputy commissioner Darshan H V, and zilla panchayat chief executive officer Narwade Vinayak Karbari. Officials reviewed current bottlenecks, citizen grievances, and the status of pending applications, while also discussing the roadmap for implementing the proposed reforms.

Conclusion

The discussions at the Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner’s office have set the stage for a more streamlined and efficient approval system for single-site and 9/11 applications. With new reforms proposed, weekly monitoring planned, and online processes soon to be strengthened, citizens can expect quicker approvals and clearer guidelines. The emphasis on transparency, coordination, and timely action reflects the government’s commitment to improving ease of access to essential land-related services.