Computerization of lands record Farooq Adil Maintaining of land records at district level is one of the key measures to ensure the collection of revenue in right perspective as it helps to record and distinguish the existing and available swathes of lands for commercial, agriculture and settlement purpose. Efficiency and accuracy of recording the divisions of lands support the prevailing set up to collect adequate resources that would be helpful to aggregate the government exchequer and offer considerable amount for development purposes. During Hindu regime, there was no system of measurement of lands and no mechanism to judge the productivity of land or otherwise in subcontinent; When Mughal emperor, Akbar the great, took over the charge, Raja Todar Mal, the finance minister of Akbar, introduced standard weights and measures, a land survey and settlement system, revenue districts and officers. With the companionship of Ameer Fateh Ullah Sherazi, he introduced the calculation and dimensions of land and its classification according to its characteristics. He arranged to compute the crop vintages and prices for a period of 10 years, and fixed tax on crops in cash. He then extended the network and different rates were fixed for different areas keeping in view the productivity, kind of land whether barren, arid or irrigated and market access. This was the first attempt that paved the way to ensure state ownerships of land and somehow empower the government to establish its writ. The concept had been shaped up and Patwari was introduced in subcontinent for undertaking the task. Later on, when different branches of knowledge and experiences contributed in formation of stable and sound governments which have comprehensive control over the resources and manages through different organs, it was felt the need to develop a mechanism that have the capability to apply tools and techniques to deliver in the best possible manners. With the expansion of special departments for specific objectives, the emergent need was surfaced to establish a department which controls the system of land and thus the concept of revenue set-up emerged. Revenue system was formed in 1878 in subcontinent by British government to undertake the responsibility of preserving records of land and collection of valuable resources. With the passage of time, system gets matured and it intrigued the need of regularly maintaining revenue and land management and for this the post of deputy commissioner was created. Deputy Commissioner of particular area is responsible to undertake this responsibility and he manages through a network consisting of tehsildar, naib tehsildars and patwaris. Patwari is the one who have direct interaction with its area and he runs this using the old system of jamabandi (record of rights), register intkaal (mutations register), khasra girdawari (harvest inspection register), shajra nasb (genealogy table), field maps, field measurement book and roznaamcha waqiati (daily journal). As the whole process is based on manual work, so it took a lot of time and energies to update; moreover it provides opportunities for manipulation and tempering of record and thus open the doors of corruption. This is one reason that the political manipulation is made possible through patwari and police culture. The patwari enjoys immense power and resources and is treated as the master of putting influence for navigating and steering underground plans for their patrons. Still in this age, when a politician wants to exercise his power and authority and display his domination, he manages to bring in patwari of his choice and same is the case in police. When Pakistan Tehreek-e-Instan (PTI) flexed its muscles for general election 2013, its manifesto was cleverly drafted addressing some of the core issues of the populace including computerization of land records and stepping towards ending of patwari’s culture. Of course, the PTI envisaged the extent of corruption through patwaris; which is the central axial or orbit around which the whole fraudulent system exist. It would have been a great success for the PTI if it successfully implemented its manifesto in letter and spirit. The computerization or digitization of system would end up the centuries old supremacy of patwari and provide relief to the miserable population. Through GIS (Geographical Information System) software, the complexities of the prevailing system can be overruled as the user would be a click away to access the required record. If you by chance visit a patwari office and enquire about the ownership of a piece of land which you are going to deal with; you would witness a cumbersome and tedious process to reach out the simple verification by opening up and getting references from various voluminous registers, covered with thick layers of dust. The digitization would help to manage all the record through latest information technology which would not only save the time but accurately show the relevant record within a split of a second. The interesting point is all the data would be available online and every one can access through internet with comfortable ease. It would support to reduce litigation and thus lessen the burden on judiciary as well. The PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa nominated a young and energetic chap for the slot of minster for revenue and estate, elected from the constituency of PK-68, D.I.Khan. The first time entry of young Ali Ameen Gandapur into provincial assembly and shouldering the responsibility of one of the key portfolio is a gigantic challenge and it would test the nerve. The system is stalled, rotten and polluted with corruption of various forms. The ambition of PTI and the provincial minister would be under the litmus test while penetrating through this as the vested interests of the old players would be at stakes and they won’t surrender so easily. Sometimes major surgery helps to eradicate the long and prevailing disease, so in this case, the old system has to undergo through a complete surgery and only this could restore the people confidence in present government. The commissioner from this district is already stirring up the existing organization by conducting surprise visit, examining the record and then verifying at the spot. Issuing explanation letters, making absent, transferring from present posting and termination from services are the available legal measures that have been exercised by Mushtaq Jaddon, the commissioner of the district. If political stalwarts and especially the minster himself extended fully support and back up to district administration, his assigned task would become rather achievable. The targets have been decided and the strategies have been developed; only the determination and willingness are required to pull the trigger. This has been a prime opportunity for PTI to prove itself a mature and seasoned political party which have all the talent and abilities to be in winning streak in future. They have to come across some nasty and foul practices but they need to concentrate on the destination which could be closer if rights steps are being taken in right time.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 05:01:51 +0000
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