According to a news source, the government of Punjab once again reviving the old Patwar system and replacing it with Arazi Record Centers (ARCs). Moreover, the Punjab government posting land revenue officials at the recently launched Dehi Markez Maal also called Satellite Arazi Record Centers.
Previously, the PMLN government established at least 144 ARCs and a computerized land record system during 2008-18. Likewise, the ARCs system reduced corruption, improved service delivery, and minimize Patwaris’ control in the revenue department.
Further, the establishment of Dehi Markaz Maal is the brainchild of Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR) Babar Hayat Tarrar. He proposed the idea to establish a patwar system through these centres in rural areas.
Moreover, the Board of Revenue approves the recruitment of hundreds of patwaris across the province. Therefore, the recruitment already initiated in respective districts and tehsils.
Initially, only computer literate patwaris and Qanungos have been assigned the task to serve at Dehi Markaz Maal (DMM). For that purpose, Punjab Land Record Authority (PLRA) asked to train these officials. Likewise, they need to create a login for them to the issuance of Fard and other related things.
Furthermore, PML-Q, an ally of the government is not happy to provide the laptops to these officials meant for the students. PML-Q leader criticized the government and showed reservations against the government move through a tweet.
A senior official of the land revenue department informed about the flaws in ARCs. Similarly, he said that these officials do not know much about the land revenue as patwaris. Due to a lack of this basic knowledge, the government faces the brunt at large.
Further, he said that with the basic knowledge of computer at the Qanungoi level, the services in the land record will improve.
Also, PLRA Chairman expressed his concerns in a letter to SMBR about the revival of the old patwar system. Further, the future of the field staff of PLRA will also be at stake with the old system.
In Gujrat only, 12 Marakaz-i-Maal established and the recruitment completed. The city needs 13 more patwaris to fill the posts in newly launched centres.
Unlike ARCs, now patwaris and revenue officials will collect the government fee at DMM and then deposit it with the bank account Punjab government. In ARCs, there is a separate counter for fee collection without any involvement of revenue officials.
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News source: https://epaper.dawn.com/DetailNews.php?StoryText=24_04_2021_176_009
