LRS Online Application Process - Explained (Layout Regularisation Scheme 2020)

I personally think, LRS 2020 by Telangana Government is a great initiative and is extremely beneficial for the citizen of this country! Though the timing and charges are debatable, it is pivotal that the illegal layouts should be penalized and regularized.

I am thrilled to see this initiative for the betterment of the society (about 10 years ago, when I bought a small plot with my hard earned savings - I had verified almost everything but failed to investigate deep into the layout rules and regulations - though there was a Layout Plan, I was not sure of what is legal and what is illegal; what is authorized and what is unauthorized). 

LRS 2020 brought a great learning opportunity for the citizen (whoever bought illegal plots), LRS would let us realize the importance of understanding the root cause of illegal registrations and the legal process of acquiring land in Telangana State. Ignorance might be bliss, but at the same time Ignoring Law is Punishable (please think of voting system as an example - we must not let incapable and unqualified nominees becoming leaders, we must elect visionaries like KCR and KTR).

Having said that, one must have respect towards the "Nature", "Mankind" and most importantly "Law of the Land". Let me now jump in and explain the motive of this very blog post. After many years, I am writing another interesting and useful article which is extremely important for general public - especially to those who are interested in learning about LRS  (Layout Regularisation Scheme 2020 by the Government of Telangana). 

Thanks to the technology, that is letting us achieve almost everything from anywhere (as long as we have little literacy about computers and its usage). I am not focusing on teaching you what is Digitization, Digitalization & Digital Transformation (in this article) but in simple terms, I will try to explain how you can actually submit an online application for LRS. Yes, literally from anywhere of the planet, as long as you have network connectivity and access to some critical information about your "identity" and "property" details.

Here is the home page of the LRS - https://lrs.telangana.gov.in/, isn't it beautifully designed website? I liked it very much, because it has all the necessary information loaded in it and the links provided quickly takes us to the online application form i.e., https://lrs.telangana.gov.in/OTP_Validation.aspx?param=Apply

As the above snapshot depicts, the applicant must provide a valid mobile number to get an OTP to see the application form. Once the user clicks on Generate OTP button with a valid phone number, the portal navigates the user to the below screen - 

and then provides the user with a few options (extremely easy and simple to understand) as seen below. The form enables user to select the appropriate category (the portal is same for individual plot owners as well as the layout builders). Based on the plot/layout location, user must choose one of the three options provided i.e., Municipal Corporation (or) Municipality (or) Gram Panchayat (including HMDA):

Based on the selection of appropriate option, the online portal (form) allows the user to fill the respective application form (user to furnish some critical information to apply for the LRS Online. Below are the snapshots of the application form(s) for all the three options (I am providing these for the benefit of all three categories, you please pick whatever is applicable for you). 

My intention of providing these three options (screens), is to let everyone know what are the mandatory fields and what information is required for completing the LRS application process - so that you can proactively keep the necessary information handy during the application process. I found it so simple and easy to fill, because I already have all the necessary information available with me. Payment of INR 1000/- can be made once the applicant furnishes accurate information via this online application form. 

Notes: 

1. Applicants should also keep the scanned copy of the first page of the Sale Deed & Layout Plan. The portal is asking for PDFs ONLY with file size limitation of 1MB, so please be watchful to upload scanned documents accordingly.
2. Please ensure to furnish ACCURATE INFORMATION, to avoid any discrepancies. 
3. Several brokers are now taking advantage of the situation and making money from irresponsible public (who are addicted to rely on mediators). 
4. I really want to extend my gratitude to the Telangana Government for providing us an opportunity for completing the LRS application process through online. 
5. Please share your comments and experience here, which will actually help fellow citizen.

Hoping to see a transformation in aspiring applicants towards digital...

Official FAQs for Applying Passport at PSK

Q:	The applicant is staying at Bangalore from last two years and permanent address is in Kerala. Can he/she endorse his/her permanent address instead of present address in the passport?
A:	Only the present address will be endorsed on the passport not the permanent address.
Q:	I have stayed at three different addresses during last one year. Will the police verification be done at all the places?
A:	Yes, the police verification will be done at all the three addresses where the applicant has resided in the last one year. The previous addresses will be the places where the applicant has resided for the longest period during last one year.
Q:	While applying for fresh passport, the applicant mentions his paying guest address as present address in the application form. If the applicant shifts to another address before police verification, what should he/she do?
A:	He/She should intimate the Department In charge of Police Station.
Q:	I am a self employed person and have recently shifted to Bangalore from Delhi. I want to apply for passport on Tatkaal basis, but I don't have any address proof. What should I do?
A:	It is mandatory to submit proof of address to apply for passport. For Proof of Address attach one of the following documents: Water/Telephone (landline or post paid mobile bill)/Electricity bill/Statement of running bank account (Scheduled Commercial bank excluding Regional Rural banks and local area banks)/Income Tax Assessment Order/Election Commission Photo ID card/Gas connection bill/Certificate from Employer of reputed and widely known companies on letter head. Spouse's passport copy (First and last page including family details), (provided the applicant's present address matches the address mentioned in the spouse's passport) Parent's passport copy, in case of minors (First and last page) Applicant's current and valid ration card Aadhaar Card Note: If any applicant submits only ration card as proof of address, it should be accompanied by one more proof of address out of the given categories.
Q:	A mentally retarded person wants to go to abroad for treatment. He does not have any address proof. Will he be able to get passport? If yes, then what is the procedure?
A:	The applicant has to apply for passport and submit parent's/legal guardian's address proof along with his/her date of birth proof. Passport would be granted to the applicant subject to Assistant Passport Officer's (APOs) approval.
Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) Working Hours
Q:	What are the timings of Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)? Also, what are the lunch timings?
A:	The timings of Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) are as follows: Working Days Monday-Friday Working Hours 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Token Issuance 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Lunch Hours 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Short Validity Passports
Q:	In what cases Short validity passport (SVP) is issued? What documents are required to be submitted?
A:	Short Validity passport (SVP) is issued in following cases: In case of urgency, students can be issued a SVP on production of admission letters if they are to appear in examinations, such as TOEFL, SAT etc. Such applications can also be processed under the Tatkaal Scheme, if they are accompanied by verification certificate as prescribed, and proof of urgency is furnished to the Passport Office(PO). There are instances of non-delivery of passports to the applicants due to loss in transit in the post offices. In case of urgency, a SVP may be issued to the applicant, the validity to be extended to full term on completion of the formalities. Indians residing abroad and visiting India for a short period: SVP can be issued immediately, valid for one year, on production of return ticket to the country from which the applicant came and/or a document of identity such as driving license, Green Card, employment permit, social security card, health card, labour card etc. indicating the applicant's identity and nationality. If the application is for issue of duplicate passport in lieu of damaged passport, the damaged passport itself may be accepted as proof of identity provided the personal particulars are clear and legible. If a criminal case is pending against the applicant in any Court, he/she can be issued a passport subject to the condition that a written permission granted by the court allowing the applicant to travel abroad is enclosed. Normally a SVP valid for one year is issued, subject to conditions if any, mentioned in the Court order as per GSR 570 (E) dated 25 August, 1993.
Q:	What will be the validity of passport if I apply for renewal of Short Validity Passport (SVP)?
A:	The validity of passport would be decided by Assistant Passport Officer (APO), if you apply for renewal of Short Validity Passport (SVP).
Passport with incorrect details printed
Q:	Incorrect details have been printed on my passport. What should I do?
A:	If you find any mistake/error in the particulars printed in the passport booklet and the application form you submitted, please return the passport for necessary rectification. Any additional fees required to be paid would depend solely on Assistant Passport Officer (APO)/PIA's decision. If there is a misrepresentation of facts, then penalty could also be imposed. However, applicants are requested to apply online which will ensure that the passports are delivered without any typographical errors since applicants have themselves fed the data.
Others
Q:	What should be the value of the Stamp paper on which the various affidavits are to be executed?
A:	An affidavit needs to be prepared on non-judicial stamp paper of minimum value.
Q:	My mother is old and infirm. She cannot come to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). Can I apply for her through an agent? OR I am a very busy executive. Can my office boy submit the application on my behalf?
A:	Under the new system it is mandatory for all applicants to be physically present while submitting the passport application form whether it is at the Passport Seva Kendra or at the District Passport Cell (DPC).
Q:	What is an E-Passport?
A:	In 2009 India was issuing e-passports to those eligible for diplomatic passports. These carry a microchip with a photograph of the bearer and relevant personal information. The e-passport program will eventually extend to ordinary passports.
Q:	What are Special Passports?
A:	India also issues special passports to citizens of India who intend to travel to Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. These passports are only good for travel to the specified destination country. The government ceased issuing Indo-Bangladesh passports in 2006, although those already issued are usable until their expiration dates. These passports allow travel to Bangladesh without requiring a visa, which ordinary passport-holders need to obtain.

Excellent Experience at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)

When I first heard about the news on PSK, I felt it was a great news for me (I never wanted to spend much time standing on queues to get my passport). On 5th of December 2011, I have filled applications for both myself and my wife (online) by registering separate user ids for both of us. 

But, unfortunately we were not having sufficient address proofs apart from the Ration Card (and my wife's name is also not yet added in it) which is also not an acceptable or sufficient address proof (Click here to know what are all the documents required to apply  for a fresh passport on regular mode), you may also want to visit here - to find the best option for address proof. Using CEOANDHRA website, I managed to get my wife's Voter ID Card with our address. To know more about applying for new Voter ID Card / Make any changes in your existing Voter ID Card you may need to visit: Online Applications for Electoral ID Cards

After filling and submitting our application forms online, I have booked time slots for documents submission and processing (we need to login with our registered credentials to passportindia.gov.in website sharp at 6 PM IST to reserve/book appointments). I have also uploaded the scanned copies of our SSC Marks Sheets, Birth Certificates (actually not required for us - but must for those who born after 26th Jan 1989) and Marriage Certificate along with our Voter ID Cards (which are not valid address proof documents, as they were issued just one month back - these were supposed to be issued at least one year before the date of application). 

Online Applications for changes in Voter ID Card (or) Election Commision of India ID Card

This is - http://www.ceoandhra.nic.in/ceonew/home.aspx - very useful link!

One can update / modify their personal details (himself / herself) on their existing Voter ID Card (if they want to make any changes / rectify the mistakes made by either Election Commission of India or by someone from their household), directly from the above link. This is a very good initiative and also useful for many (as 99% of the details in the Voter ID Card are not correct - either because of the person who provides such information or because of the person who saves that information or the one who updates that information into the computer database.

Below are the snapshots of the web pages for filling this online application (for change of details):

Now as shown in the picture above select Form- 8 (Correct your Card) Option from the E-Registration Menu Item. A new window / tab will open as shown in the below picture, which is the actual application form - here we need to fill the correct details and attach a passport size photo graph (preferably - 376 x 413 - size - rectangular photo - you can use ms paint to do this), soft copy right from your computer system. 

Not only modifying and applying the changed details online, but one can also check the status of such application from the below shown page:

Once the Application is duly filled and after saving it by pressing the above shown two buttons "Translate" (which will translate the language from English to Telugu in additional boxes) and "Save" (which will register the application and generates an application number - please find it on the right top corner of the filled application, just above the photography - to track the status). 

Print / Save a PDF Copy of such completely filled application form, which will help you in tracking the status from the below page.  

Not only correcting or changing the details on existing Voter ID Card, but one can also apply or register for a new Voter ID Card from this site sitting in front of a computer with an internet connection.

For More Information on Election Commission of India, feel responsible and please visit the site: http://www.ceoandhra.nic.in/ceonew/home.aspx