The Punjab government, in a significant move to enhance administrative efficiency, has approved the elevation of two key sub-tehsils to full tehsil status. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting held on Monday.
Enhanced Access for Dozens of Villages
The cabinet gave its nod to upgrade the sub-tehsils of Banur in Mohali district and Hariana in Hoshiarpur district to full-fledged tehsils. This administrative restructuring is designed to bring government services closer to the people.
After the meeting, Punjab Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian explained the rationale. He stated that residents of approximately 40 villages in Mohali had frequently faced delays in accessing services. Similarly, the Bhunga sub-tehsil area in Hoshiarpur, located within forested terrain, forced locals to undertake long journeys for routine official work. The minister emphasized that this upgrade was made in the larger public interest to ensure faster and more convenient service delivery.
Land Revenue Act Amended for Digital Efficiency
In a parallel decision aimed at modernizing governance, the cabinet approved amendments to the century-old Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887. The changes focus on streamlining the appeals process to reduce unnecessary litigation, save time for citizens, and prevent harassment.
Minister Mundian highlighted that the popular 'Mera Ghar Mere Naam' scheme would particularly benefit Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and help reduce property disputes. This scheme, which grants property rights to residents living in houses within Lal Dora and city areas, is set to cover around 12,700 villages across the state.
A key feature of the amendments is granting legal sanctity to digital records and digital signatures. This move is expected to strengthen paperless record-keeping, improve transparency in land administration, and make processes more citizen-friendly.
The cabinet also noted the state government's existing e-services portal, which allows online applications for procedures like Khangi Taqseem (family partition) through a simple, single-click process. This digital initiative is designed to:
- Streamline land demarcation.
- Help resolve disputes amicably.
- Facilitate buying and selling of land.
- Enable timely compensation for crop damage.
- Make obtaining Jamabandi copies easier.
Age Relaxation for Special Educators
In a decision impacting the education sector, the cabinet approved a one-time relaxation in the upper age limit for contractual 'special teacher educators' working under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan. This measure is intended to pave the way for their regularization within the state's school education department.
An official spokesperson clarified that this step will ensure the continuity of inclusive education for children with special needs by retaining trained and experienced educators. Importantly, the spokesperson confirmed that this measure will not impose any additional financial burden on the state exchequer.
These collective decisions by the Punjab cabinet underscore a focused approach on decentralizing administration, leveraging technology for governance, and securing the tenure of vital educational staff.
