Punjab AAP MLAs corner own govt over tedious land mutation process

AAP MLAs today took on their own government during question hour over people facing harassment for getting mutation of land and getting additions and deletions done in ration cards.

Citing huge pendency of applications for mutation of land record with patwaris across the state, AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra said on the floor of the House that patwaris need to be pulled up for not disposing of applications for mutations despite payment of the prescribed fee at mutation centres.

He said the Deputy Commissioners should be given directions to get the pendency cleared. Replying on the issue, Revenue Minister Brahm Shankar Jimpa said in special camps, 85,000 cases of mutation had been disposed of and the government was committed to clearing the pendency. The MLA remarked that clearing of 85,000 cases itself shows huge pendency.

AAP MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura raised the issue of harassment being faced by people in getting addition/deletion of name done in ration cards. He sought clear directions from the Food and Civil Supplies Minister on the issue.

Minister Lal Chand Kataruchakk said the Centre had capped the beneficiaries from the state at 1.41 crore and no further addition or deletion was being allowed. He said the state had requested the Centre to increase the cap. A new ration card policy was under consideration.

Congress MLA Avtar Singh Junior highlighted the plight of linemen hired on contractual basis by sub-contractors across the state. Flagging a case in which two contractual linemen died of electrocution while attending to electricity complaints, he said the contractors were not even providing safety equipment, first aid and ladders to the field staff. Power Minister Harbhajan Singh, however, said safety equipment was being provided.