In olden times when an illiterate villager was asked what he understood by the word ‘Government’, he would say the patwari and the policeman. Not that these two functionaries are the real source of power, but they represented the Government in-function, good or bad whatever. People, one and all, know that a Patwari’s written word is one which hardly even the highest authority in the state would refute or ignore. Who invested Patwari with such abominable powers? Surely, the Government did not; it is the institution that has made him the Lord of the Ring. Since there has been unprecedented upsurge in urbanization and land alienation has become an enormously intensive activity, issuance of extracts of revenue records (called intikhab jamabandi); the fundamental land record remains the duty of the Patwari. Corruption facilitated by antics like distorted entries, delaying tactics and mismanagement have become the trick of the trade with Patwaris. Therefore, it is in fitness of things that the Revenue Commissioner has brought in new rules superseding all previous ones that invest Patwaris with extraordinary powers often misused. The Naib Tehsildar will no more be required to attest the extract revenue record and the Tehsildar will submit a consolidated report regarding land alienation activity of his juniors at the end of each month. The purpose is to ensure transparency and good governance and stonewall chances of corruption. This is all in the interests of the public and hence a welcome step. But we would suggest digitalization of all revenue record of all the three regions of the State. This would be a revolutionizing step with many good results.
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