Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 30: The long-pending and often confusing gun licence renewal process in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district is set to receive a digital overhaul with the introduction of a new online tracking system from June 1. The new system is expected to make the acceptance, scrutiny and tracking of both fresh licence applications and renewals easier and more transparent.
After nearly 15 to 20 days of load testing, the online process has now been completed. Under the new system, applications for gun licences and renewals will be processed and cleared within 60 days.
The portal will have separate logins for the Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner, the superintendent of police and the deputy conservator of forests. Through the portal, officials will be able to view the number of applications received and identify where any application is pending.
The district has so far followed a manual application system, resulting in more than 200 applications from rural areas remaining pending at the tahsildar level in the revenue department. Many applications had not moved forward for two to three years, and neither the exact reasons for the delay nor the stage at which they were pending was known.
Last year, the government introduced a rule requiring farmers who possess guns for crop protection to submit proof that they had received government compensation for crop damage caused by wild animals in order to renew their licences. The rule created significant difficulties for many applicants, and several renewal applications were rejected by the district administration with written communications issued to the applicants.
During the renewal process, licence holders were required to furnish documents proving that they had received compensation from government departments for agricultural losses caused by wild animals. Applications without such documentation were rejected, and applicants were directed to deposit their firearms at the concerned police station or with authorised dealers. The district administration communicated these decisions to the applicants through official correspondence.
Farmers had repeatedly complained about delays in gun licence renewals, while some of the conditions imposed by the police department also posed challenges. Legislators from the district raised the issue in the Legislative Assembly, and the Home Minister had personally directed officials to ensure timely renewal of licences. The matter was also discussed extensively during KDP meetings.
Subsequently, a meeting was held involving gun licence holders and officials, including the deputy commissioner, superintendent of police and deputy conservator of forests, to discuss solutions to the problem. As a result, the online system is now being introduced.
Once an application is submitted online, the deputy commissioner, DFO and SP can log in and review its status. The system will provide details of applications pending beyond 30 days and 60 days. In essence, it is a tracking mechanism and not an approval system. It will only facilitate monitoring and acknowledgement of applications and is intended as an internal administrative tool.
Dakshina Kannada district has a total of 12,000 gun licence holders, of whom more than 700 are yet to renew their licences.
Speaking on the initiative, Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Darshan H V said, "The online system has been introduced to ensure that gun licence renewals do not face unnecessary difficulties. It will come into effect from June 1. A timeline of 30 days has been fixed for renewal of existing gun licences and 60 days for issuance of new licences."