22,790 CASES OF LAND MUTATION AND RECORD CORRECTION PENDING

22,790 CASES OF LAND MUTATION AND RECORD CORRECTION PENDING

19-AUG-ENG 13

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------The pendency of cases related to land mutation (*dakhil-kharij*) and record correction (*parimarjan*) is causing increasing distress to the public. It is alleged that due to the arbitrary conduct of Circle Officers and revenue staff, people are compelled to make repeated visits to Circle Offices to get their work done. There are also allegations that work does not proceed without the payment of bribes, leading to public resentment.

The government has set a specific timeframe for the disposal of mutation and record correction cases. Under these guidelines, cases are required to be resolved within 35 days. In exceptional circumstances, there is a directive to finalize cases within a maximum of 75 days. Despite this, a large number of cases remain pending beyond the stipulated period. People allege that many applications are kept pending for extended periods, hindering land-related work and causing difficulties in obtaining revenue receipts.

Continuous reviews at the District Magistrate level are reportedly being conducted to improve the handling of revenue matters. Former District Magistrate Tanay Sultania also used to review revenue cases at intervals of approximately 15 days. Nevertheless, it is alleged that there has been no expected improvement in the working style of Circle Officers and revenue staff. People argue that if cases remain pending beyond the deadline despite these reviews, the concerned personnel should be held accountable.

It is alleged that action has not been taken on many mutation and record correction cases even after the expiry of the 75-day limit. Such applications remain pending, and applicants are not receiving timely updates on their status. People suggest that the actual status of pending cases should be revealed during reviews so that action can be taken against responsible officials and staff.

The pendency of mutation and record correction cases is also impacting revenue collection. Due to a large number of pending applications across various administrative zones (anchals) of the district, people are unable to generate revenue receipts. It is reported that this is also impacting government revenue; residents state that timely processing of mutation (*dakhil-kharij*) and record correction (*parimarjan plus*) requests would have enabled the issuance of receipts and the collection of revenue by the government.

Citizens complain that, after the stipulated timeframe, many applications for mutation and record correction are returned to the applicants via email with remarks directing them to resubmit documents. Applicants question the need to resubmit documents that have already been uploaded online. They further state that, even after resubmission, action is not taken in many instances.

A large number of mutation and record correction cases are reportedly pending across all 14 zones of the district.

Zone    Pending Cases

Ara      2,000

Udwantnagar  2,200

Garhani           1,500

Charpokhari    1,400

Piro     2,208

Tarari  1,800

Sahar   1,600

Sandesh           1,560

Koilwar           1,806

Barhara           1,709

Shahpur           1,918

Agiaon            1,404

Jagdishpur       2,300

Bihiya 1,385

According to these figures, a total of 22,790 cases are pending across all 14 zones.

Residents state that the failure to process land-related mutation and record correction cases on time causes them significant hardship. They have demanded that the administration review the pending cases, ensure their disposal within the prescribed timeframe, and hold negligent officials accountable.