Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Nov 21: In a measure that has the potential to provide relief to thousands of people harassed by the ordeal they have to go through in setting right their land records, the government has delegated the right to make amendments in the record of rights, to the tahsildars. This right earlier had been vested with the divisional officer. Simultaneously, the time given for setting right anomalies in the land records has been extended by the government till March 31, 2009.

The government, realizing that the rural population was finding it hard to get their land records set right because the power to make changes was given to only sub-divisional officers, has given these powers to the tahsildars. At the same time, it has warned the officials that those misusing the powers will face imprisonment.

The 'Bhoomi' scheme, under which the farmers were facilitated to set their land records right, has been in force in the state for the last about eight years. Electronic record of rights is being issued now. At the time of feeding handwritten records to computers, lot of mistakes had crept in. Under the said scheme, provision was made to set right the said defects and also to feed new land records which were not fed into the database of 'Bhoomi' scheme. The scheme was given wide publicity and the people had been given sufficient time to set their records straight. Even after repeated extensions, there are many mistakes which are pending to be corrected. As such, the government decided to extend the time once more.

The extension and relaxation of powers comes with a rider. The government has warned the tahsildars and officials working under them, of stern action which might include incarceration, if they commit mistakes. It has clarified, that the tahsildars will bear the onus for all the amendments.

It has asked the village accountants to read out the details of the land records to every land-owner of the village and get their assent for the correctness of the same. In addition, signatures of the major members of the family should be obtained for the information recorded therein, it has added.