SOP for Transparency

13/10/2018

Concerned over deep rooted systemic issues and ambiguities, the Government has set into motion a process for evolving Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for bringing much-needed transparency in the functioning of Revenue Department at the field level and the task has been assigned to a high-level committee headed by Financial Commissioner Revenue. General Administration Department vide Communication No.30-Comp/18 dated July 10, 2018 brought to the notice of Revenue Department a glaring instance of deep-rooted nexus between revenue officials and a property dealer and stressed the need for bringing much-needed transparency in the functioning of the department at the field level. The matter was enquired into which prima-facie revealed commission of irregularities by not following proper procedure for issuance of FardIntikhab and consequent alienation of the land and the irregularities so committed pointed towards a nexus between the revenue officials and the property dealer and the GAD had mentioned in the communication while advising constitution of a high-level committee to ensure transparency in the functioning of the Revenue Department by evolving a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
The then Financial Commissioner had not only reversed the order of Deputy Commissioner but also ordered posting of Patwari at the place from where he was removed by the Deputy Commissioner. Now, as recommended by the General Administration Department a high-level committee headed by Financial Commissioner Revenue and comprising of both the Divisional Commissioners, Additional Commissioner in the office of Financial Commissioner Revenue, Regional Director Survey and Land Records Srinagar, Regional Director Survey and Land Records Jammu and representatives of Revenue and Law Departments not below the rank of Additional Secretary has been constituted. The committee has been asked to evolve Standard Operating Procedure to address the systemic issues so as to ensure transparency in delivery of services to the citizens coupled with overall improvement in the functioning of the revenue administration and to avoid recurrence of such cases in future, sources said. Now, it is to be seen how much swiftness this high-level committee shows in accomplishing the task assigned to it as numerous committees on vital subjects constituted from time to time have failed to strictly adhere to the time-frame fixed by the Government.

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