{"id":67268,"date":"2019-09-12T12:36:25","date_gmt":"2019-09-12T12:36:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zameen.com\/blog\/?p=67268"},"modified":"2019-11-22T06:56:14","modified_gmt":"2019-11-22T06:56:14","slug":"digitization-urban-land-record-systems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zameen.com\/blog\/digitization-urban-land-record-systems.html","title":{"rendered":"Digitization Of Urban Land Record Systems"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Previously, the government of Punjab had introduced the digitization of land records, especially in rural areas, to fight off any inequalities of land distribution, tenure insecurity and to address issues related to land administration, transactions and registration system. It has significantly helped small landowners and the marginalized communities for making these records less dispersed, improving service delivery and ensuring that the land rights of women and farmers are protected. Based on the successful implementation of digitization of land records in rural areas, the Board of Revenue is planning digitization of urban land record systems. But let us first understand why there is a need for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is there a need for digitization of urban land record systems?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Supreme Court of Pakistan, which restricted the role of patwari <\/em>in sale, purchase and transfer of land in urban areas earlier this year, has called for an alternative land record system. The apex court believes that the prevailing system to record land is not only outdated but also corrupt. It also stated there is a dire need to make things transparent and modern via digitization of urban land record systems<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At present, the recording of urban properties is done through the registration of deeds which lacks detailed information. The registration of deed of property is overtly allowed with no compulsion to provide any proof of ownership. Due to the absence of a transparent, digitized system of recording land rights in urban areas, both public and private sector agencies have formulated their own methods to record these in their areas of jurisdiction. As per a news report in a local English daily, the government of Punjab and the Planning and Development Board, Punjab are planning to have, \u201cA unified, formal system wherein, the individual rights will be secured and certified copies be issued in favour of an individual and a clear distinction between rural and urban properties will be ensured.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to note that the final approval for the computerization of urban land record systems has been given by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Standing Committee of Cabinet on Finance & Development for Punjab and the Chief Minister of Punjab. The process will be facilitated via the assistance and technical expertise of the World Bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The role of a Patwari <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So, who is a patwari and what powers does he have? Why has the Supreme Court issued orders to restrict the role of a patwari in the selling and buying of property? Well, a patwari is one of the most influential and resourceful people of an area, although, officially speaking, he has the lowest ranking in the official hierarchy. Why, then, does he enjoy so much power? It is because he is responsible for manually maintaining land records. The FARD, which is the most important ownership document, is also issued by a patwari. All of the information related to certificate of possession is only authorized by a patwari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The establishment of LRMIS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to a news report published in a local English daily in August, there are approximately 6,934 patwaris working in Punjab, maintaining land records for 55 million landowners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To discourage the usurpation of rights of rightful landowners and to stop corruption in the land record systems, the government of Pakistan and the World Bank had signed an agreement in 2007 for a project called Land Record Management and Information System (LRMIS) in Punjab. The main objectives of this initiative were to give complete access to land records at low transaction costs, to enhance transparency in land transactions and to enhance the tenure security of land right holders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially, LRMIS was designed to offer services in 18 districts of Punjab. Later, the project expanded to all 36 districts. The World Bank also extended its support and a Project Management Unit (PMU) was established in the year 2007 for the computerization of land record and to oversee the overall interventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The formation of PLRA for digitization of rural land records<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Many
The Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) has helped in the digitization of land records <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once the Project LRMIS was completed, the Government of Punjab formed the Punjab Land Record Authority (PLRA). Punjab Land Records Authority was set up through PLRA Act-2017, under the administrative control of the Board of Revenue, Government of Punjab. In a short span of time, PLRA achieved many milestones. The establishment of Arazi Record Centers (ARC) by PLRA in all the districts of Punjab has helped in the timely issuance of FARD and has smoothed the process of registration of land mutation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Various records which were managed manually, such as Register of Haqdaran-e-Zamin, Register of Gardawari, Register of Intiqaalat, have been digitized by PLRA to strengthen the land record systems in the rural areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As per the official stats by PLRA, in a short span of five years, they have scanned 10 million pages of the manual records and completed digitization of land records for over 55 million small landowners. PLRA has also digitized the process of land title information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to access land records online<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Through
You can download the Digital-PLRA app on your android phone and get access to the land records Credit: Website\/LRMIS – Government of Punjab<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is simple. You just have to download the PLRA app<\/a> on your android phone. You can access the following information and services:<\/p>\n\n\n\n