Go digital, ensure transparency to curb corruption

Enforce strict anti-corruption laws

Is there anything that can be done today without paying bribe? The answer is no. It is no longer bribe, but the fuel that powers our current system. We have accepted corruption as a way of life in order to get tasks done at ease. Corruption is so prevalent that it has even has infiltrated the Revenue Department, where fraudulent registries are processed allegedly by greasing the palms of the appropriate officials. It’s disheartening to see so many middlemen with access to tehsildars openly demanding “cuts” to expedite the land registration process. Corruption is so deeply ingrained that a Ludhiana West Sub-Registrar’s Office employee was caught tampering with official documents. To combat corruption, transparency is essential. The governments should enforce strict anti-corruption laws and hold those in power accountable. Further, paying fair wages and encouraging ethical behaviour in both the public and private sectors can reduce the temptation to engage in corrupt practices. A collaborative effort between the government and society is essential to curb corruption effectively.

Novin Christopher

Go digital for transparency

To curb corruption in registration of land deals, the district administration can use digital platforms for transparent and efficient processing, reducing human intervention. Regular audits and strict penalties should be enforced to ensure accountability among officials. Establishing independent grievance redressal systems and promoting whistleblower protection will encourage citizens to report corruption without fear. Awareness campaigns can educate people about the official registration process and fees, preventing exploitation by middlemen. Additionally, adopting blockchain technology for tamperproof land records and using biometric verification can enhance security. Forming citizen vigilance committees and promoting media involvement can further strengthen transparency. Simplifying procedures through single-window clearance systems will minimise opportunities for bribery, fostering a corruption-free environment.

Kirandeep Kaur

Conducts audits, third-party inspections

To address corruption in land registration, district administrations must embrace transparency and digitisation. Implementing an end-to-end digital platform for property registration can reduce reliance on intermediaries. Clear documentation, automated verification and real-time tracking of applications will minimise human interference and reduce bribery. Regular audits and third-party inspections can further ensure accountability. Establishing a public grievance redressal mechanism will encourage citizens to report corruption anonymously. Strict legal action against officials and middlemen involved in unethical practices is essential. Special anti-corruption cells can be formed to monitor activities and investigate complaints efficiently. Additionally, awareness programmes educating people about legal processes and their rights can reduce the dependence on middlemen. Simplifying procedures and reducing unnecessary paperwork will also discourage corruption. Citizens should be encouraged to use government portals and seek assistance from certified legal consultants instead of unauthorised agents. Mass participation is crucial. Civil society organisations and media can act as watchdogs, raising awareness and exposing corrupt practices. Collaborations between the government and NGOs can further strengthen transparency initiatives. By fostering transparency, ensuring accountability and empowering citizens, the district administrations can significantly curb unethical practices in land registration.

Parmeet

Reduce manual intervention

Corruption in land registration is a burning issue, often involving middlemen and officials like tehsildars who demand illegal payments to expedite the process. To eliminate unethical practices, the district administration must adopt a multi-pronged approach focusing on transparency, accountability and public participation. Implementing a robust digital land record management system is essential. Platforms like the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) should be utilised for online registration, verification and tracking of applications. E-stamping and e-signatures can further reduce manual intervention. Real-time application status updates will enhance transparency and reduce the scope of corruption. Establishing independent anti-corruption units within district administrations will ensure impartial investigations of complaints. Regular audits and surprise inspections should be conducted to monitor officials’ activities. Additionally, rotating staff frequently will prevent the formation of corrupt networks. Strict penalties and legal consequences for those found guilty should be enforced. Public awareness campaigns can educate citizens about their rights and proper registration process, reducing reliance on middlemen. Grievance redressal mechanisms, including toll-free helplines and online complaint portals, should be accessible and effective. Collaborative efforts between government bodies, civil society organisations and the media can also act as a deterrent against corruption. By ensuring transparency, accountability and active public involvement, unethical practices in land registration can be significantly curbed.

Jasmeet Kaur

Install CCTV cameras at tehsil offices

The Punjab government recently suspended a tehsildar for registering property deeds fraudulently in Jagraon while sitting at the Ludhiana tehsil office. Such stern actions will deter revenue officials from getting involved in the malpractices. CCTV cameras should be installed at every tehsil office and the DC should check footage randomly to ensure that the sub-registrars are present in their offices and the citizens are not facing unnecessary harassment. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau should keep a close watch on the deed writers among others in the registrar’s office as they reportedly work as middlemen. The complaints of residents should be looked into promptly and the deed writers be given severe punishments if found at fault.

Sometimes, the revenue officials threaten the customers, boasting their connections with politicians. Such political interference should be stopped. The DCs should interact with the clients at the registrar’s office and inspect the delivery of services. Issues encountered during such visits should be promptly addressed.

RS Sembhi

Set up special courts for corruption cases

Corruption in land registration is a serious issue that undermines trust in governance and harms citizens. To curb unethical practices like bribery, exploitation by middlemen and tehsildar’s misconduct, the following measures should be implemented: Government must implement a fully digital land registry system like ‘Dharani’ in Telangana or ‘Kaveri’ in Karnataka to minimise human intervention. It is also suggested to reduce physical document handling to eliminate tampering. The government must devise system to allow citizens to track registration status online to prevent false delays for bribes. It must establish special courts to handle corruption cases against revenue officials swiftly and encourage complaints with anonymity and legal safeguards. Officials caught demanding bribes should face immediate termination and criminal charges. The government should make it compulsory that registrations happen through official channels only and not intermediaries. A mix of technology, strict enforcement, transparency and public participation can significantly reduce corruption in land deals.

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Strict anti-corruption laws needed

The government should implement a fully digital land registration system with minimal human intervention, reducing the scope for bribery. Blockchain technology can be used for secure land records.

There should be strict anti-corruption laws with punishments for both corrupt officials and middlemen. Fast-track courts should handle corruption cases efficiently.

Anonymous reporting mechanisms should be encouraged, allowing people to report corruption without any fear.

Citizens should be educated about their rights and the official fee structure to avoid unnecessary payments. Awareness campaigns through social media and local bodies can help in this regard.

Rewarding honest officials with recognition and incentives will motivate them to maintain integrity.

NGOs and media should play an active role in exposing corruption, and regular audits should be conducted to ensure transparency.

Prabhnoor Kaur

Take action against corrupt officials

To check corruption in the registration of land deals, the first thing the district administration should do is to issue a strict warning to all concerned that corruption will not be tolerated and the culprits will be dealt with strictly. It must be made clear that corruption is not allowed in the state and the cases of malpractice will be handed over to the local police. No one, how big or small, should be spared. A copy of this notice in bold letters must also be displayed on the premises of the registration office and the local court. Further, if someone is found indulging in corruption, he/she must be terminated from the job and the act should be given wide publicity for information of others. This will set an example for others, including the middlemen, against getting involved in money corruption in matters of registration of land and such other cases in the tehsil. These steps will help control corruption and in improving the situation as needed by the local administration.

Gautam Dev

People should avoid middlemen

The menace of bribery in land registration can be minimised by educating landowners on their rights and procedures to avoid middlemen and clearly display registration costs online and at offices to prevent arbitrary demands. There must be a ban on cash transactions for registration fees to leave an audit trail.

The government must use machine learning to detect unusual patterns e.g. undervaluation, fake documents, etc. The procedure must be adopted to secure land records with blockchain to prevent forgery. Allow applicants to rate officials post-registration like Uber ratings. Toll-free number/WhatsApp for reporting bribery demands should be displayed on prime locations in the city and in front of courts.

The government must fix the tenures for two to three years at one place to check network of corruption. It must appoint independent agencies to inspect land records and registration processes. State leadership must publicly commit to eradicating land mafias, besides recognising and promoting clean officials to set an example. Involve local NGOs/citizen groups in monitoring land registrations. Investigative journalism needed to expose scams. The government must reduce corruption via full digitisation.

Farzana Khan

Encourage online payments

Corruption in land registration is a serious issue that often involves multiple levels of administration. To tackle these unethical practices, both the government and citizens must take proactive measures. Conducting surprise checks in offices and using technology, such as CCTV cameras, can help track illegal activities. There should be a fixed fee structure and online payments should be encouraged to eliminate cash transactions. Strict legal action should be taken against those found guilty.

People should be aware of their rights and also know how to avoid corrupt officials. If there is an unfair demand, the Right to Information (RTI) Act can be used to seek transparency. Awareness of anti-corruption helplines is essential and citizens should expose corrupt individuals in media. A combination of technology, strict enforcement and citizen participation can help eliminate corruption in land registration.

Japleen Kaur

Focus IS on digitisation of LAND records

The Punjab government is focusing on complete digitisation of land records and registration processes to minimise human intervention. It has established a dedicated anti-corruption helpline to take action against officials involved in unethical practices. We are also conducting regular audits of registration deeds by randomly calling citizens. Streamlining of the registration process is underway, which will outline the fees and charges and eliminate ambiguity. Whistleblowers would be rewarded for credible information. I request citizens to not pay bribe and report any such incident to SDMs/ADC or DC. Himanshu Jain, Deputy Commissioner