Massive Backlog in Haryana Property Registrations Due to Ongoing Officer Strike
More than 10,000 property sale deeds remain pending across Haryana as tehsildars and naib tehsildars continue their indefinite pen-down strike, causing widespread disruption to registration work in revenue offices throughout the state. The officers are protesting disciplinary actions taken against some of their colleagues over the past month, leading to a standoff with no immediate resolution in sight.
Administration's Response Fails to Ease Crisis
With this being the first such disruption in nearly two years, the revenue and disaster management department directed sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) and district revenue officers (DROs) to step in as registrars to clear the mounting backlog. However, this move has not yielded results because revenue clerks, known as patwaris, are also on strike due to government action against them.
Since Friday, the government has implemented makeshift arrangements, but with almost no activity reported on Friday and Monday, tehsil offices have worn a deserted look. Prospective buyers and sellers have been seen making repeated rounds in frustration, highlighting the severe inconvenience caused by the ongoing strike.
Financial Impact and Geographic Concentration
Of the over 10,000 pending registries, nearly 60% are from Haryana's National Capital Region (NCR) districts, including areas like Gurugram and Faridabad. This disruption has not only inconvenienced residents but also significantly dented the state exchequer, as property registrations are a key source of revenue for Haryana.
The financial implications are substantial, with daily revenue losses mounting as the strike persists, affecting both individual transactions and broader economic activity in the region.
Disciplinary Actions and Corruption Crackdown
Over the past month, the government has taken action against three officers in Gurugram, Ambala, and Panchkula districts. These include:
- The suspension of the Wazirabad naib tehsildar in Gurugram.
- The suspension of Narayangarh naib tehsildar Sanjeev Atri.
- The suspension of Raipur Rani tehsildar Vikram Singla in Panchkula.
In related developments, the Haryana State Anti-Corruption Bureau has arrested two patwaris over the past week. Additionally, the government has recommended departmental action against patwaris found guilty of corruption, underscoring a broader crackdown on malpractices within the revenue department.
This strike highlights critical issues in Haryana's administrative and revenue systems, with residents and the economy bearing the brunt of the ongoing protests.
