Digitalized records and the reality of the Revenue Department

By
Ziraat Times
-

By Mohammad Amin Mir

Jamabandi is a crucial revenue document prepared every four years, forming the backbone of the Revenue Department as it stores essential land records. It consists of twelve columns and various components such as Shajra Nasab (pedigree table showing three generations), Khatawar (indicating survey number locations), and Khewat numbers (arranged in ascending order). Additionally, it records the history of trees, particularly fruit-bearing ones.

The primary section of the Jamabandi includes vital details such as the Khewat number, Khata number, name of landowner and tenant (along with parentage), source of irrigation, survey number, area, soil type, Lagan (rent paid by tenants to former landowners), mutation details, and remarks. For example, an entry may read: Khewat number 1, Khata number 1, Abdul Ahad, son of Satar Wagay, resident of Deh (native village). In the tenancy column, either “Khud Kast” (self-cultivated) or the tenant’s name is recorded, followed by the survey number, land area, and soil type.

Earlier Jamabandis, particularly those written before 1967-68, were considered highly authentic. However, after the Agrarian Reforms Act, revenue records underwent major changes, with tenants becoming landowners under sections 6, 7, 8, and 12 of the Act. This law brought significant relief to peasants, transforming them from mere cultivators to rightful landowners. Despite repeated government instructions, the Revenue Department failed to fully implement the law, leaving many villages with protected tenants still recorded as tenants-at-will, waiting to be recognized as prospective owners.

The Digitalization of Revenue Records

Despite the incomplete execution of the Agrarian Reforms Act, the government decided to digitize revenue records. Initially, all historical records were scanned and made available online. Following this, fresh Jamabandis were written for every revenue village, completed in a short span due to the tireless efforts of Patwaris. These were later digitized and uploaded online.

However, a major flaw in the process was the lack of cross-verification between newly digitized records and older records. Due to time constraints and inadequate attention from Girdawar and Quanoongoes, numerous errors crept into the records. When made available online, many landowners found incorrect entries, forcing them to run from pillar to post for corrections. Unfortunately, authorities advised them to file rectification requests, only to later inform them that the digitalized Jamabandis had been frozen, leaving people in distress.

Need for Systematic Rectification and Ground Verification

While the scanning and digitalization of revenue records is a welcome step, the correction process has caused frustration among the public. Experts believe that errors in Jamabandis can be minimized if rectifications are carried out on-site, with each survey number verified physically to ensure accuracy. This would require a structured approach:

  1. Spot Verification of Land Records: Each survey number should be physically inspected, and changes in land use, tenancy, and ownership should be updated accordingly.

  2. Adequate Time and Resources for Revenue Officials: Patwaris and Girdawar Quanoongoes should be allotted dedicated time for record rectification, with their daily workload (except issuance of land records) delegated to clerical staff until corrections are completed.

  3. Cross-Checking with Historical Records: Newly digitized records should be meticulously compared with older versions to avoid discrepancies.

  4. Establishing a Permanent Rectification Mechanism: A structured approach should be developed to regularly update records, ensuring accuracy and preventing future disputes.

If the government implements these corrections systematically, it would minimize litigation, enhance public trust, and mark a historic step in the Revenue Department’s history. By bridging the gap between digital records and ground reality, the government can ensure that land ownership and tenancy data reflect actual conditions, preventing future disputes and enhancing transparency.

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171 COMMENTS

  1. Good effort.
    Keep it up sir.
    Honest and selfless people are need of the hour and for the welfare of society.
    Wish you happy and long life.
    This is also an effort to serve the community.

  2. Great insight in the subject matter is highly appreciated. Suggestions need to be incorporated in the current scenario to avoid infructuous litigation merely because of errors in record.

  3. Really appreciable work by the writer of this article but now the concerned should hear the advice then it will be fruitful for general masses..No doubt that the work force of revenue department has done a tremendous job but some more should be done so that rectification can be done.

  5. Realy it is need of the hour and concerned officials also intentionally create nuisance in order to worth their position in the department and also open doors for the vested interest.

  7. 103126 637340An attention-grabbing dialogue is value comment. Im positive that its much better to write on this topic, towards the often be a taboo topic but typically persons are not sufficient to speak on such topics. To one more location. Cheers 313727

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