Delay in registries at Tehsildar office leaves visitors hassled

Less than a week after directions from the government to all deputy commissioners “to facilitate the registration of sale deeds in a smooth and corruption-free manner”, a huge crowd was spotted waiting for hours without any intimation at the Tehsildar office to get their registration documents registered. After over four hours of hassle, it was only in the evening that the administration deputed the local SDM and a sub-registrar to register properties in wake of the Punjab government orders pertaining to some relaxations to certain categories of plots by February 28 without obtaining a no-objection certificate.

Local residents, including elderly and women, said they had been waiting for the registration of their properties since morning only to be told in the noon that the tehsildar had left. As The Tribune team visited the tehsildar office, people were seen standing inside the building and even under trees, while many were sitting on the floor waiting haplessly for the officials to start registering their properties.

“There is not even a proper place for us to sit. There is no information if we will get our registry done. The staff is also not giving any information and it is raining outside”, said Kawaljit Singh.

“If we have come on time and the administration knows about it, as we take the date in advance, the government must look into it”, added the 55-year-old. An elderly woman who had made the trip from Lang village said she had been waiting since 10 am only to be told to wait for another few hours as Teshildar was away at 12 pm. “I am working as a maid and now my one day’s salary will be deducted as it is 5 pm now,” she rued.

Rajinder Singh, a 60-year-old from Moon Kherha, said the Punjab government should look into such harassment seriously and strict action must be taken. “Over 200 people are standing here and you can see lack of arrangements and no information with anyone if they will be attended to or not. My appeal to the Punjab chief minister is to ensure public convenience in tehsildar offices on priority as merely passing directions which are seldom implemented, will not help anyone”, he added.

Notably, Anurag Verma, Special Chief Secretary, Revenue and Rehabilitation, had on Monday instructed the deputy commissioners to collect feedback on the functioning of sub-registrars. “Via notification dated November 25, 2024, from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, certain categories of plots have been allowed to be registered by February 28 without obtaining a no-objection certificate. “However, some complaints have been received regarding some Sub-Registrars/Joint Sub-Registrars,” he had said, warning officials to ensure a public friendly approach.

Verma also wrote that he would review the actions taken in this regard on a daily basis.

Patiala Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav said the SDM and two other officers in the evening to get “all such registries registered” as the Tehsildar was away for a court hearing. Verma, meanwhile, said he has sought a report from the district administration.