Need to ensure accurate land records through systematic rectification and on-the-ground verification to restore public trust and minimize disputes
Jamabandi is a critical revenue document prepared every four years. It serves as the backbone of the revenue department by storing all relevant information. It consists of twelve columns and includes essential details like shajra nasab (pedigree table), khatawar, numberwar, khewat numbers in ascending order, and the history of trees, particularly fruit-bearing ones.
The shajra nasab presents the names of individuals spanning three generations, while the khatawar shows the pages where survey numbers are located. The central part of the Jamabandi includes detailed land information recorded in twelve columns, covering aspects like khewat numbers, khata numbers, names of landlords and tenants with parentage, survey numbers with area and soil type, irrigation sources, and even land mutation details. For instance, khewat number 1, khata number 1 might record Abdul Ahad, son of Satar Wagay, resident of the village (deh), with corresponding tenancy and survey details.
Historically, Jamabandis written before 1967-1968 were considered highly authentic. However, after the introduction of the Agrarian Reforms Act, these records underwent significant changes. The Act granted ownership rights to tenants through provisions under Sections 6, 7, 8, and 12, transforming the landscape of land ownership in Jammu and Kashmir. This reform empowered peasants, who had once merely ploughed the land, to become its owners.
Despite this progressive change, the Agrarian Reforms Act was never implemented fully. Many villages still have protected tenants recorded as “tenants at will,” and these individuals are yet to be recognized as prospective landowners.
To modernize the revenue system, the government recently decided to digitize land records. Old records were scanned and new Jamabandis were prepared for every revenue village. Through the tireless efforts of patwaris, these records were completed in a short span and subsequently digitized. Once the digitalization process was finished, the records were made available online for public access.
However, the process of creating these digital records faced several shortcomings. Due to the lack of time and insufficient verification, the Jamabandis were not thoroughly cross-checked with older records. The Girdawar and Quanoongo officers also failed to ensure consistency between the old and new records. Consequently, many errors found their way into the online records.
When people began accessing their digitized records, they discovered inaccuracies, leading to widespread frustration. Individuals were instructed to prepare rectification files, but even after submitting these, the corrections were rarely implemented. Officials often cited the “freezing” of digital records as the reason for delays, further aggravating the public’s concerns.
While the digitalization of records has been widely welcomed by the public, the rectification process has caused significant anxiety. Experts believe that to address the inaccuracies, spot verification of land records is essential. Each survey number must be meticulously verified on the ground, and any discrepancies must be reflected in the Jamabandis. This requires a systematic mechanism where the revenue staff, particularly patwaris and Girdawar Quanoongo officers, are allocated sufficient time and resources to focus solely on rectifications.
To expedite the process, non-core tasks (such as issuing land records) could temporarily be delegated to clerical staff, allowing the revenue officers to dedicate their efforts toward verifying and updating the records. Properly matching ground realities with recorded data will not only enhance public trust but also minimize legal disputes arising from inaccuracies.
The digitalization of Jamabandis is a significant step forward for the Revenue Department, but ensuring the accuracy of these records is equally important. On-the-spot verification of land data, systematic rectification, and robust mechanisms for cross-checking are essential for bridging the gap between digital records and reality.
If implemented effectively, these measures can transform the revenue system, reduce disputes, and restore public confidence. The need of the hour is a coordinated and focused effort by the department, supported by adequate time and resources, to ensure that digitized records reflect the true state of land ownership.
The successful execution of this initiative will mark a historic milestone in the evolution of the Revenue Department and serve as a model for other regions.
The writer is an office Patwari at Tehsil Office Qazigund
Mohd Amin Mir
mi********@***il.com