In a move to set up separate cadre in the Revenue Department, the AAP Government has already set up a four-member committee to examine the feasibility of forming an independent cadre from the level of Patwaris, Kunangos, Naib Tehsildars and Tehsildars in the Revenue Department. This is the first occasion when any Government has started an exercise to set up its own revenue cadre for better upkeep of land and revenue records. The four-member committee set up by the revenue secretary comprises Deputy Commissioners of South-West, North and South-East districts and DC of Headquarter -1.
An order to this effect issued by Sub-Divisional Magistrate-III (Headquarters) SK Chugh said that the committee would examine the pros and cons of the proposed cadre and submit its recommendations by November 15. It said that the committee could also include stamp and registration branch and block development departments under its ambit.
As of now, Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars are from the DASS cadre and Patwaris and Kunangos are from other cadres. Once the proposed cadre is in place, the revenue officers who deal with highly technical land related issues would be able to discharge their duties in a much more professional manner.
Among the matters being dealt by the revenue officials are registration of all persons cultivating or otherwise occupying land in villages as prescribed according to the Delhi land Revenue Rules. Called Khatauni, the document is prepared as part of record-of-right in every estate. It contains entries regarding ownership, cultivation and various rights in land. It is revised every four years when it is prepared by Patwari and attested by the Revenue officer.
The other key functioning of these officers is to handle record of cultivation, which is a register of harvest inspections. The lekhpaal conducts the field harvest inspections in the month of October, February & April, wherein he records facts regarding crop grown, soil classification, cultivable capacity of the cultivators. The first six monthly inspection starting from October 1 is called as “Khariff” parhtaal while the second commencing from February 1 is called “Rabi” parhtaal. In the month of April the “Zaid” parhtaal is done.
The revenue officials are also responsible for Jamabandi, which is a document prepared as part of record-of-right of all persons owning land in a village according to the Punjab land Record Manual. It contains entries regarding ownership, cultivation and various rights in land. It is revised every four years when it is prepared by Patwari and attested by Revenue officer. The changes of rights in land coming to the notice are reflected in the Jamabandi according to a set procedure after verification by Revenue Officer.
The Khatauni/Jamabandi are kept in the custody of Halqua Patwari. They are re-written after every four years incorporating all the mutations (ie. charge of ownership) that has taken place during the four year period. The Khatauni is the most important document as far as ownership of agricultural land is concerned and one must ensure when he buys a piece of land that his/her name is incorporated in Khatauni by way of mutation. There is a seperate Khataun for each village.
Even ‘Chak Bandi’ of land Holdings’ is done by these officers. They are responsible for amalgamation & redistribution of all or any of the land in a revenue estate or sub-division of an estate, so as to reduce the number of plots in the holding.
Other responsibilities of these officers are to keep record of cultivation. It is the Patwari who conducts the field harvest inspections in October, February & April, wherein he records facts regarding crop grown, soil classification, cultivable capacity of the cultivators. The first six monthly inspection starting from October 1 is called as Khariff Girdhawari while the second commencing from February 1 is termed Rabi Girdhawari.