Punjab finalises blue print toning up revenue department

CHANDIGARH: Punjab government today finalized a blue print of transformation of the revenue department by eliminating redundant procedures and controls, thereby empowering common citizens to get services as a matter of right.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, accompanied by Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, gave the final touches to the blue print after an extensive brain-storming session with all Commissioners of the Divisions and Deputy Commissioners of districts who gave their suggestions on practical difficulties faced by citizens in getting their revenue transactions completed and also suggested different steps.

Badal said the new computerized system approved in the blueprint would automate the mutation of the property immediately on registration of property.

Badal said that during last five years, he has focused on improving the connectivity of Revenue Department, digitalizing all land records, putting land records on the web that has taken care of 50 per cent of problems at grass roots level.

He said that now his focus was on improving the system and minimizing the government control and discretion of the Revenue Authorities in transactions.

Badal said Punjab, being an agrarian state, Revenue Department was the backbone of economy and his focus was on automation of systems.

He said that most of the litigations in Revenue Department were due to delay in mutations, girdawaris and partition of land holding.

He asked Deputy Commissioners to hold fortnightly camps in districts to put the partition cases on fast track.

Badal asked the revenue department to set up a toll-free number to get register complaints of the people, adding he would be personally monitoring this complaint center.

Badal said DCs should conduct surprise checks in all such departments and submit weekly report to the Deputy Chief Minister Office.

He said he would personally monitor the delay and pendency in the cases of mutation, partition and was seeking independent feedback from different agencies regarding problems being faced by people in districts and dereliction in ensuring transparent working atmosphere would reflect in the annual confidential report of each DC.

Seeking suggestions from Deputy Commissioners for doing away archaic systems, Badal said that every Deputy Commissioner would submit minimum 10 suggestions to improve the systems at grass root level within a week.