JHANG: The district revenue administration, on the alleged demand of local political bigwigs, has issued multiple transfer and posting orders of revenue officials (patwaris) of their choice.

Sources in revenue department told Dawn that the Punjab government in 2010 had launched a project of land record computerisation to minimise the role of patwaris in the larger interest of the public. But in tehsil Jhang land record of a number of urban-cum-rural revenue circles where state and precious commercial land is available, could not be computerised so far. That is why revenue officials wielding political influence are trying to get posting in [lucrative] revenue circles.

They claimed that some parliamentarians right next day after taking oath got patwaris of their own choice posted in Kot Sai Singh, Hasnana and other areas to ensure their control over revenue circle offices.

When contacted, Jhang tehsildar having charge of sub-registrar office, Mr Mohsin, said transfer and posting orders regarding different revenue circles were being issued by the competent authority.

He said: “I am very careful while approving sale deeds of plots of private residential colonies where state land is available. The higher authorities may be in a good position to comment about the possibility of any political influence.”

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2018