Dakshina Kannada rolls out tracking system to clear gun licence renewals in time

Mangaluru: In a move aimed at addressing delays in the issuance of gun licences, especially renewals, the Dakshina Kannada district administration has introduced an internal tracking system to ensure applications are disposed of within 60 days of submission, deputy commissioner Darshan HV said Monday.

Addressing reporters, Darshan said the system has already gone live and has been tested. Under the new mechanism, the district SP, deputy conservator of forests (DCF) and the DC will each have separate logins to monitor the status and movement of applications.

“Until now, there was no proper system to track the number of applications received or identify where files were pending for clearance,” he said.

Darshan said several applications often remained pending at the taluk level without senior officials’ knowledge. The system has been introduced to streamline the process and ensure the timely disposal of applications. From June 1 onwards, all gun licence renewal applications will be processed within 60 days, he added.

Under the system, the DCF, SP and tahsildars will receive alerts for applications pending beyond 30 days and 60 days, enabling closer monitoring and faster action. He said renewals will be disposed of in 30 days and new applications within 60 days. Clarifying the scope, Darshan said the mechanism is only a tracking system and not meant for approvals.

It may be recalled that Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai had submitted a list of people whose gun licence renewals are pending to home minister G Parameshwara. The list includes around 38 farmers from Puttur, Belthangady, Bantwal and Sullia taluks whose renewal applications are yet to be cleared.

After meeting the home minister recently, the MLA said firearms are essential for farmers in Dakshina Kannada district due to frequent wild animal attacks on agricultural lands. However, despite applying for renewal, many applicants are not getting their licences renewed, citing various reasons. He said the affected applicants approached him over the issue, following which he submitted the list seeking renewal from different taluks.