By Shakeel Bin Abdul Ali
The Revenue Department of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has recently embarked on a pioneering effort – the comprehensive digitization of Jamabandis across all estates. A Jamabandi serves as an indispensable revenue record, detailing land ownership, tenancy shifts, and more. Historically, these documents underwent updates every four years, adhering to the meticulous guidelines stipulated by Standing Order 23B and the Land Revenue Act of 1996 Samvat. This ensured thorough verification and accuracy checks by revenue officers. However, recent modifications to the process have sparked concerns regarding its precision and comprehensiveness.
Pivotal in revenue documentation
Jamabandis have historically been pivotal in revenue documentation. Patwaris meticulously prepared them, with Girdawars verifying 100%, Naib Tehsildars verifying 50%, and Tehsildars verifying 25% of their content. These documents gradually evolved into indispensable tools for monitoring changes in land ownership and tenancy. Nevertheless, during the Agrarian Reforms Act of 1976 and subsequent decades, no new Jamabandis were prepared. This hiatus in record updates created a gap, and by the 1990s, it was evident that existing records had become outdated and potentially erroneous.
Acknowledging this concern, the government of the then-state of Jammu & Kashmir took a significant stride by mandating the creation of fresh Jamabandis for each revenue village. The process was executed expeditiously, yielding a considerable number of new Jamabandis. These records were subsequently scanned and made accessible online, aiming to enhance transparency and public accessibility. Subsequently, the process continued with the digitization of current Jamabandis, which commenced last summer.
Concerns regarding inaccuracies and inconsistencies
Yet, as the landholders began verifying their digitized records, concerns surfaced regarding inaccuracies and inconsistencies. This prompted the government to initiate a comprehensive verification process before finalization. The onus of rectifying errors and ensuring the precision of these Jamabandies was entrusted to Patwaris and Girdawars. This verification process, initiated a month ago, is slated for completion by the end of the current month.
Nevertheless, it’s imperative to recognize the intricacy of this endeavor. The expedited timeline for verification has sparked apprehensions among stakeholders, given that achieving a zero percent error rate within such a brief period is a formidable task.
To uphold the utmost precision, ample time must be allocated to Patwaris and Girdawars. Their expertise is indispensable in rectifying discrepancies, thereby facilitating reliable and comprehensive Jamabandis.
Ensuring accuracy is paramount concern
Beyond rectification, there’s a compelling need to involve stakeholders in the process. Landowners, or zamindars, should be afforded the opportunity to review their entries and verify their accuracy. Engaging them in this process substantially reduces the likelihood of errors or disputes, bolstering the credibility and legal robustness of Jamabandis.
While the urgency of digitization and modernization is praiseworthy, it is equally essential to prioritize accuracy and meticulousness. The revenue department’s endeavors to modernize and update Jamabandis reflect a dedication to efficiency and transparency. However, these objectives should not overshadow the significance of accurate and validated records.
In conclusion, the pursuit of accurate and error-free Jamabandis is a collective undertaking that demands time, expertise, and active engagement from all stakeholders. The Revenue Department’s commitment to enhancing land records is commendable, and extending the verification period will invariably amplify the quality and reliability of these indispensable documents. Safeguarding the unblemished legacy of Jamabandis is a shared responsibility, fostering a system that endures the test of time.
