Punjab govt sets up 6-member 'Revenue Commission'

The Punjab government today notified a six-member 'Revenue Commission' to bring in a greater efficiency and accountability in the functioning of the Revenue Department.
The Commission, to be headed by Justice (retd) S S Saron, would be tasked with streamlining the existing laws, procedures and processes relating to land administration in line with the requirements of modern agricultural and non-agricultural uses.
It will propose new laws and procedures, along with other methods, to make revenue administration more transparent and responsive to the needs of the people, an official release said here.
According to the notification issued by the Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), the Punjab Land Records Society would provide secretarial assistance to the Commission.

Such officers of the Revenue Department and other relevant departments of the state government as are required shall also be associated to support the Commission, which may also associate experts as it considers necessary.
The Commission, which would submit its report on the issues referred to it from time to time, will have a term of one year or as decided by the Government. It will meet as per its requirements.

An spokesperson said the Commission would have the mandate to review the organisational structure of revenue related aspirations, expectations, needs and requirements of the contemporary Punjabi society.
It will also examine Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887, Punjab Tenancy Act, 1887, Punjab Land Reforms Act, 1972 and other related Acts and Manuals administered by the Department of Revenue, to assess their relevance in the present scenario of land use and land holdings, etc.

Apart from this, the Commission would also review the existing Acts and Rules pertaining to Urban Properties in order to protect the rights of people in urban land, maintenance of records and procedures.