Sub-registrars told to be present in office at 9 am

The Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Revenue, has sought an explanation from the sub-registrars of Hoshairpur, Mohali, Jalandhar and Amritsar over harassment caused to people for turning up late at offices.

The order comes following complaints of inconvenience caused to people visiting their offices for registration of sale deed and other documents.

ACS Anurag Verma, in a communication to the Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur, pointed out that on December 18, Tehsildar Kulwant Singh Sidhu started registration of properties at 1.30 pm even as appointments were scheduled for 9 am.

Similarly, Dera Bassi Tehsildar Beer Karan Singh started the work at 2.33 pm on December 17 and Naib Tehsildar Harinderjeet Singh began work at 1.39 pm on December 18. Zirakpur Naib Tehsidar Ramandeep Singh started registration works at 2 pm on December 18. In all these cases, public appointments were given for 9 am.

Similar cases about Jalandhar Tehsildar Ram Chand and Amritsar Tehsildar Har Karam Singh have been pointed out. In all these cases, the Deputy Commissioner concerned have been asked to seek explanation from the respective officials, said a senior government functionary.

Incidentally, there has been rush for registration of properties in Punjab after the state government gave a three-month window beginning December 1 for registration of plots in unauthorised colonies without the no-objection certificate (NOC).

The ACS has asked the DCs to ensure that the designated officers were available in their offices at 9 am and they should not be assigned any other duty on the given day.