In order to streamline public services and eliminate any kind of corruption within the Revenue Department, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema om Tuseday announced a series of transformative measures including clearing all pending cases regarding attestation of uncontested mutations, copying service, issuance of income certificate and inspection of Revenue records beyond the stipulated timelines on a campaign basis by April 30, 2025.
Addressing a press conference held here at Punjab Bhawan, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, accompanied by Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian and Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Financial Commissioner Revenue Anurag Verma, revealed that the Revenue Department has received 8,42,362 applications regarding attestation of uncontested mutations, 31,164 regarding copying service, 5,33,054 regarding issuance of income certificate and 1,73,149 regarding inspection of Revenue records during last one year out of which 26658, 17400, 4362 and 2123 were pending respectively beyond the stipulated timelines. He said that all these pending cases would be resolved by April 30.
Announcing to reduce the stipulated time for attestation of uncontested mutations from 45 to 30 days from May1, 2025, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced that the Deputy Commissioners will now monitor the pendency of overdue cases on a daily basis, ensuring regular oversight of pending applications.
He said that stipulated timeline for copying service is 10 days, for income certificate is 15 days and for inspection of Revenue records is 7 days. The Finance Minister further added that the accountability of the concerned government official or employee of the Revenue Department has been fixed to deliver services as per stipulated timelines and in case of any undue delay strict action would be taken against them under the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government's zero-tolerance policy towards inefficiency and corruption.
Highlighting the online module allowing citizens to submit requests for Mutations directly through the Revenue Department's website, www.jamabandi.punjab.gov.in., Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that this digital approach aims to simplify procedures and reduce reliance on physical visits to government offices enhancing efficiency and accountability. He said that the earlier cumbersome process of obtaining Mutations often requires individuals to navigate through multiple layers of bureaucracy involving Patwaris, Kaungoes, and Tehsildars.
He said that this not only leaded to undue harassment but also opened avenues for corrupt practices. “Similarly, services such as Copying Service, Income Certificate issuance, and Inspection of Revenue Records, though available through Sewa Kendras, were plagued by inefficiencies, forcing citizens to visit various offices like DC offices, Tehsils, and Municipal Committees after submitting their applications”, he added.
Reiterating Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment to improving governance and enhancing the quality of public services, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that this initiative would eliminate corruption, deliver services within fixed timelines, and ensure that citizens are not subjected to unnecessary harassment when visiting government offices.