LAHORE – Is Punjab Re-Introducing Patwari System? For a couple days, reports regarding the introduction of ‘patwari system’ in the province of Punjab were making rounds. Today the Government of Punjab has came down hard on these news terming it ‘concocted and fake.’
In a series of tweets, Punjab government announced that it is not ‘reverting back’ to the old system. “The computerized land record system is being extended to village”. Piloting in eighteen qanungois (revenue circles) of the province, two per division, using existing HR of districts,” said the Government of Punjab.
Statement of Govt of Punjab on #fake and concocted news report published by @dawn_com:
• The computerised land record system is being extended to village (or revenue estate level)
• Piloting in 18 qanungois of the province, 2 per division, using existing HR of Districts 1/3 pic.twitter.com/b9s8gA5qVr— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) February 11, 2020
The response comes amid reports published at local media stated that the Punjab government is reintroducing the ‘patwari system.’ For this model experiment, the Punjab Board of Revenue has chosen revenue circles of Mandra and Chakri in Rawalpindi for experimental basis.
• Subsequently, computer literate, qualified and well educated HR (Village officers) will be recruited at village level.
• The ARCs will continue to function as per their existing mandate.
• There is absolutely no reverting back to manual land record (Patwar) system. 2/3— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) February 11, 2020
“There is absolutely no reverting back to manual land record (Patwar) system.” The provincial government tweet read, while adding that the Government of Punjab has already announced to phase out “Patwar Cadre”. Is Punjab Re-Introducing Patwari System?
https://twitter.com/GOPunjabPK/status/1227110335695523840
The government further slammed the publisher of the news, adding that the government would pursue legal action against them. “Publishing such concocted and fake news is unethical and Govt of Punjab will pursue legal rights available to us.”