Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 22 Jan: Dehradun District Magistrate Savin Bansal held a review of pending revenue cases in a meeting held here today. Taking a tough stand on the slow pace of share determination and pendency of revenue litigations, he issued strict directions to the revenue officials to ensure the time-bound disposal of long-pending cases and expediting recovery from major defaulters. The DM stressed on the need for accountability and efficiency in revenue administration across the district.
On this occasion, Bansal reviewed in detail the status of cases pending in subordinate revenue courts, recovery of main and miscellaneous dues, share determination matters and other core departmental activities. He categorically directed that all the cases pending for more than one year under Sections 34, 143, 33/39 and 41 at the tehsil level be disposed of on priority. He emphasised that undisputed cases under Section 34 should be resolved with utmost urgency and should not be allowed to linger any further.
The DM made it clear that no application related to conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural purposes, including residential, commercial or industrial use, should remain pending at any level. He also instructed officials to fast-track the correction of errors in Khasra and Khatauni records under land settlement registers. To improve the quality and speed of land demarcation, he directed the formulation of a Standard Operating Procedure, stressing that field-level officers must submit factual and accurate reports to prevent avoidable disputes and unnecessary litigation.
Expressing strong displeasure over the slow progress of share determination, linkage and investigations in Sadar, Vikasnagar and Doiwala tehsils, Bansal pulled up the officers concerned and called for fixing clear responsibilities and targets for Revenue Sub-Inspectors. He ordered that regular reviews be conducted at the tehsil level and that a comprehensive progress review be carried out every 10 days by the Additional District Magistrate. Warning of strict action in cases of negligence, the DM urged the officers to promptly seek technical assistance wherever required instead of allowing cases to stagnate.
While reviewing the status of miscellaneous recoveries, the officials shared in the meeting that the district had achieved 82.84 per cent recovery against a target of 81 per cent. However, recoveries in Chakrata, Tyuni and Kalsi tehsils are lagging behind. Taking a serious view of the shortfall, Bansal ordered intensified recovery drives against major defaulters. He suggested that revenue officials coordinate with the GST section to obtain bank account details of big defaulters and also liaise with the RCS office to identify movable and immovable assets of defaulting companies and firms to ensure swift recovery.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of the Digital Crop Survey underway in select villages, the performance of Collection Amins, the condition and upkeep of record rooms and the implementation of the Revenue Court Management System and the e-office system. Issues relating to audit objections and the regular updating of departmental software were also discussed to ensure transparency and efficiency in operations.
Among those who were present at the meeting included ADM Finance and Revenue KK Mishra, SDSM Apurva Singh, SDM Sadar Harigiri, SDM Rishikesh Yogesh Mehra and SDM Vikasnagar Vinod Kumar, while other SDMs and tehsildars participated through the virtual medium.
