GUJRAT: As the Punjab government is set to launch the patwar system at revenue circle level, it has been decided that initially the patwaris will issue `fard’ (ownership deed) instead of doing mutations in the computerised land record.

However, after training to operate computerised land record system by the trainers of Punjab Land Record Authority (PLRA), these patwaris will be authorised to start mutations.

The Punjab government has already selected at least 18 qanoongo areas where patwari services are going to be launched by March 3.

It is learnt that the Senior Member, Board of Revenue (BoR), has directed commissioners and deputy commissioners that fard for record will be issued at patwar circle level and there will be no mutation work until the training of patwaris.

The DCs will nominate staff to be trained by PLRA trainers whereas the training will start from Monday.

The DCs have also been directed to ensure the availability of 3G coverage facility at the already identified centres.

Meanwhile, the PLRA field staff have expressed grave concern over the relaunch of patwaris at the revenue estate level.

A senior official of the PLRA staff union questioned how could a mindset of patwaris be changed by equipping him with laptops and other such facilities. He said at least 4500 employees of PLRA field staff had already been struggling for their pay raise, service structure and job regularisation for the last three years and now another sword of uncertainty had been paced above their heads.

The Punjab Land Record Authority (PLRA) meanwhile says the launch of computerised land record services at the revenue estate level will not pose any threat to the existence of the PLRA.

A statement by the PLRA spokesman said that there was no truth in rumours as authority had been established through an act of parliament.

It said the Board of Revenue in collaboration with the PLRA was going to launch such services in some 206 revenue estates of 18 selected qanoongo areas of Punjab on an experimental basis.

He said that reports of sacking of PLRA field staff were baseless.

Published in Dawn, February 29th, 2020