LAHORE, July 22: Punjab Revenue and Consolidation Minister Gul Hameed Rokhri has called for framing of laws allowing action against the officials, who delay consolidation work.

“It is intolerable that a village’s consolidation has been going on for the past 20 years,” the minister told participants at a meeting of the committee held here on Tuesday to revise the consolidation laws.

The committee had been set up by the Punjab chief minister to amend the laws to protect the rights of small land owners.

It formed a body, headed by the additional law secretary, for preparing draft proposals within 15 days. It will meet on Aug 7 to deliberate upon the recommendations to be submitted by the body.

Mr Rokhri directed the officials concerned that while preparing draft proposals, a time limit should be fixed for completion of consolidation according to total land of a village. Action should also be recommended against the officials failing to meet this time bar, he added.

He also said amendments should be suggested for minimizing the discretionary powers of the subordinate staff to check corruption in the department.

“Two departments — land commission and settlements — have lost their utility. Had I been entrusted with the powers, I would have immediately closed these, “ a participant quoted the minister as saying on reports of corruption in the two departments.