While the digitization of Jamabandis marks significant progress in transparency, the need for rigorous verification and accountability remains crucial to prevent disputes and maintain public trust.
The Revenue Department, one of the oldest and most crucial departments, is responsible for maintaining land records. Categories of land, such as agricultural, non-agricultural, Banjri Jadeed, Banjri Qadeem, etc., fall under its purview. The department maintains essential records such as Jamabandis, Girdawaries, Mutation Registers, Records of Rights, the Fardi Portal, and others. Patwaris, the department’s frontline workers, have a hectic schedule as they maintain these records for reference by the government and the public.
Jamabandi is an essential document that contains detailed information about various types of land, distinguished by survey numbers. A survey number is a fixed identifier assigned during land settlements. Each Jamabandi form has twelve columns, each providing unique information. Jamabandi is also known as “Char Sala” because it is traditionally updated every four years. Mutations attested since the preparation of the previous Jamabandi are recorded in the remarks column with red ink, making them visible, and the entries in Khanakast are tallied with the current Girdawari.
The preparation of Jamabandis for most estates occurred in 1969-70 and 1970-71, just before the Agrarian Reforms Act came into effect. After two decades, new Jamabandis were prepared from 1992-93 to 1999. However, many of these documents were not properly checked or signed by the attesting officials, leading to numerous embezzlements, litigation, and hardships for the general public. This lack of seriousness also gave rise to land mafias.
In 2017, under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme, the “Aap Ki Zameen Aap Ki Nigrani” initiative was launched in Jammu and Kashmir. This made land records available online, reducing the rush at record rooms and Tehsil offices. People could check records such as Jamabandis, Girdawari extracts, and mutation copies at Common Service Centers. This system brought several benefits, including enhanced transparency, time and effort savings, reduced property disputes, and streamlined land acquisition processes. Homebuyers could verify ownership details, reducing fraudulent transactions.
The Revenue Department collaborated with Ram Tech Company to scan existing records. By 15th August 2021, almost all 6,912 villages had their Jamabandis digitized. While commendable, the digitization process faced challenges. Many Jamabandis were prepared hastily, often by retired personnel or patwaris with limited time. These were then submitted to the Regional Director Land Records (RDLR) for scanning, without proper verification.
The Settlement Commissioner directed that scanned Jamabandis must be read before Zamindars in the presence of Lumberdars and Chowkidars to ensure accuracy. Unfortunately, this crucial step was overlooked. Instead, the department engaged field staff and computer operators from other departments for the digitalization process. Insiders fear that if inaccuracies in the records are not rectified before public access, fresh disputes and litigations may arise.
Although digitalization minimizes manual errors, the hurried process and lack of cross-verification have resulted in discrepancies. For instance, entries in the digitalized Jamabandis often do not match the old records. The burden of these errors largely lies with Girdawar Quanoongoes (GQs), Naib Tehsildars, and Tehsildars, who are legally responsible for verifying Jamabandis. The Land Revenue Act mandates GQs to verify 100% of the records, Naib Tehsildars 50%, and Tehsildars 25%. However, this responsibility has been neglected, leaving the records riddled with errors.
Last year, Tehsildars were instructed to retrieve scanned copies of Jamabandis, read them before Zamindars, and rectify errors on the spot. This process, known as rectification, involves correcting mistakes in digitalized Jamabandis by cross-checking them with current authenticated records. However, these directives were largely ignored. Instead, private computer operators worked on the digitalization in suboptimal conditions, and only a few patwaris personally handled the task.
The freezing of Jamabandis—where changes cannot be made without the approval of competent authorities—has compounded issues. Rectification of errors in these frozen records is a complex and time-consuming process. While the department claims to be addressing these errors on a “war footing,” the reality is that progress is slow. Patwaris, already burdened with other responsibilities, and GQs, often unavailable, contribute to the delay.
To resolve these issues, a clear module should be developed to frame a timeline for writing new Jamabandis. With patwaris now trained in computer operations and records available on portals, the process could be streamlined. Additionally, digitalized Jamabandis must be thoroughly cross-checked before being finalized. Accountability should be enforced among GQs and Naib Tehsildars to ensure error-free records.
The digitalization of Jamabandis is a commendable step towards transparency and efficiency in the Revenue Department. However, the process must be handled with care to avoid new disputes. Proper cross-checking and rectification of errors are essential before the records are made accessible to the public. A collaborative effort between patwaris, senior officers, and the community can ensure that this critical initiative benefits society without causing unnecessary hardship. Transparency and accountability will ultimately lead to long-term success for the department.
The writer is a Patwari at Tehsil Office Qazigund
By Mohd Amin Mir
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