The indifference of landowners, including successors and purchasers, towards updating revenue records has emerged as a significant obstacle in land acquisition for National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) projects across Punjab. This issue has particularly affected the progress of the Jammu Katra Highway project in Saraud, where the consent of 52 co-owners, including NRIs, is required for one acquisition case.

Despite efforts by a 10-member committee, formed with the input of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrian) representatives, to resolve the issue, progress has been slow. Stakeholders attribute this delay to a shortage of experienced revenue officials in the district and a lack of coordination between residents and revenue staff.

In several cases, compensation issued by the NHAI has not been transferred to the actual possessors due to discrepancies in the revenue records, which list multiple co-owners. For instance, in one case, landowners Bhagwant Singh and Raj Singh have been unable to receive compensation because the records show 52 co-owners, some of whom are NRIs and industrialists. The situation remains unresolved as none of these individuals have appeared to address the issue.

Other complications include cases where the claimant is not in possession of the land, and disputes over ownership are preventing the division and transfer of compensation. The situation is further complicated by records listing deceased persons as co-owners.

Harvir Singh Dhindsa, President, Punjab Revenue Patwar Union, acknowledged the challenges but noted that efforts had been made to update records in Saraud village. He urged farm leaders to persuade the concerned farmers to provide written consent to expedite the process.

The Revenue Department has also highlighted the lack of coordination among farmers and revenue officials as a longstanding issue, with several patwaris from Saraud village facing vigilance cases over the years. (The Tribune)