Is Punjab reintroducing ‘patwari system’? Govt clarifies

• Reports published by a local media outlet stated that the Punjab government is reintroducing the ‘patwari system’ as a model experiment.
• The Government of Punjab has sought to take legal action against the publisher.

With reports regarding the introduction of ‘patwari system’ in the province of Punjab making rounds, the Government of Punjab has came down hard on these news terming it 'concocted and fake.'

In a series of tweets, the Government of Punjab announced that the provincial government is not ‘reverting back’ to the old system.

“The computerized land record system is being extended to village (or revenue estate level). Piloting in eighteen qanungois (revenue circles) of the province, two per division, using existing HR of districts,” said the Government of Punjab.

“Subsequently, computer literate, qualified and well educated HR (Village officers) will be recruited at village level.” Whereas, the Arazi Record Centres (ARCs) will continue to function as per their existing mandate, informed the provincial government.

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 (@GOPunjabPK) February 11, 2020

The response comes amid reports published at local media stated that the Punjab government is reintroducing the ‘patwari system’ as a model experiment and the Punjab Board of Revenue has chosen revenue circles of Mandra and Chakri in Rawalpindi  for experimental basis.

“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".

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.”