Issue 2

Since 1947, the ownership of rural land in the revenue records has been of two types: either as a individual ownership of the specific kila numbers on his name or as a share-holder of the property, known as mushtarka khata.People who had knowledge of the revenue details were smart enough to address the problem.They went ahead and got the required changes in the government records as legally mandated. Individuals who were ignorant or less aware of these requirements could not get these changes in order to have clear possession of their special Kila number of land. This led the revenue records to show multiple legal shareholders. It is now four generations since partition; further selling of the land to different people has led to unknown partners and has caused a lot of confusion and complications in the legal documentation. The need of the hour is to take drastic steps to make amends. Just like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the govt led by our Prime Minister should personally analyze,revise and systematize the policies regarding clear title of land ownership to resolve this matter. This can be made possible by the combined efforts of the Govt, District Commissioner, District Magistrate, SDM, Tehsildar and most importantly Patwaries The government should take measures to streamline the revenue records according to sound landholder policies to stop further complications to the present generations of land holders.Let’s together join in the movement to initiate steps towards fruitful results towards getting the land records right. Gurvinder Singh Ghuman (gurvindersirsa@gmail.com)