The Punjab Land Record Authority also known as PLRA, is a digitalised platform. Hence, it has proved to be a very effective body. Especially in carrying out the change in the functioning of land records and property details. Particularly, in Punjab by offering online services to the property owners and real estate investors. Ensuring accuracy and timely deliveries by providing convenience to the end users. Therefore, it helps to avoid and minimise malpractices.
Punjab Land Records Authority: Initiatives and Accomplishments
PLRA played a vital role in organising land records and securing the rights of land owners in Punjab and specially the rights of farmers.
Mobile Arazi Record Centres
Approximately 151 Arazi Record Centres have been established all across Punjab.
Purpose: The basic purpose is to ensure that the services being offered are transparent and delivered in the given time-frame.
Locations: Their centres are currently present in different cities of Punjab, to accommodate maximum number of people. They are in Bahawalpur, Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala and Faisalabad.
Service Days: All operations managed twice a week, only on Wednesday and Thursday.
Field Staff Achievements:
- Fixed and sorted more than 50,000 mutations. Mutation locally known as ‘Intiqal’
- Processed and resolved, approximately 20,000 outstanding tasks.
- At Land Record Centres, within half an hour 80% of the users receive ‘Fard’.
Monthly Turnout:
- More than 200 thousand land alterations certificates ‘Fards’ issued to the owners.
- 144,897 appointments booked to provide services in the specific month of July.
- Nearly, 90% of the complaints that are timely resolved.
Pre-Appointment System:
- Currently it has 232 centres.
- Provided hands-on skills and knowledge to the staff, to improve the legal requirements and to speed up the work process.
Booking Appointments:
- Through helpline, total figure is 85,030
- From the website, total figure is 36,007
- At service centres, total figure is 23,860
Background and History of PLRA
Initiative: It was established in 2007 and initiated by the collaboration of Pakistan Government and World Bank.
Project: As the ICT tools its worth to mention Land Record Management and Information System (LRMIS).
Goals:
- Obtain information regarding the genuine Land Records.
- Transparency, while undertaking or signing the land deals.
- Providing the dates of tenure, hence securing the right of land holders.
Establishment of PLRA
Formulation of PLRA: It is formulated under the reform Act – 2017.
Control: The senior level administrative responsibility, lies with the Board of Revenue the Government of Punjab.
Milestones: Creation of Arazi Record Centres (ARC) in each district, for the convenience of people.
Enhancement in efficient delivery of the fard and the registration of the land mutation.
Preliminary Integral Features and Functions of PLRA
Digital Titling
Land digital titling, is difficult to use for especially underprivileged proprietors to safeguard their property rights. Therefore, Arazi Record Centres were created to facilitate people and speed up the process.
Significance: Its basic focus is on granting and securing the property rights of the farmers and landowners.
Achievements: Since the PLRA is formed, investigating about land and its security has become very easy, especially in Punjab.
- Online e-services includes computerized fard issuance, mutation attestations and e-pass book.
- Established 151 Arazi Record Centres and 16 satellite fard booths.
- Through their app or online services, one can check land records 24/7.
- Cutting down the time to register a property from 56 days to 11 days.
All you should know about how to verifying your land ownership in Punjab online.
Methods Used in the Confirmation of Ownership of a Property
Website Navigation:
- Go to the official website of the PLRA.
- Choose the district and then service centre.
- Choose verification method: By using CNIC or registration number or name.
- Then one can see the ownership details of particular property.
Benefits of PLRA
- No fees required, elimination of ‘Patwari’ payments.
Convenience to check records, while at home or sitting anywhere in the world. - In a short time, property ownership (mutation) can easily be transferred.
Steps for How to Obtain Online Fard
Verification: Be sure that the record on the property to has been digitalised.
Procedure:
- Go to the PLRA site
- Click on the tab of ‘Get your online fard’
- Enter CNIC, Passport, POC or NICOP
- Lastly, the user will type in and/or paste the verification code received.
Enter the complete information related to district, tehsil or town.
Write the reason, why you need fard (personal records).
Acquiring Fard at Arazi Record Centre
Process:
Give personal details. (according to the records)
- Set of thumb impressions and take a photograph of the person.
- Land identification and rights of holder.
- Fees payment through challan, amount varies from PKR 500 to PKR 700.
- Submit the fees at The Bank of Punjab.
- Receive printed ‘Fard’
Steps and Process for Registration
Obtain Fard: Get it from Arazi Record Centre, which will cost between PKR 500-700.
Pay Taxes: CVT 2%, Stamp Duty 3%, Town Fee 1% at The Bank of Punjab.
Deed Registration: Sometimes you may need to hire a lawyer or deed writer.
Final Registration: Carried out at sub-registrar office, costing PKR 1000.
Processing Time: This whole procedure will be completed in 8 days.
Framework for Land Administration
Historical Context
Colonial Roots: This system is integrated on British Deeds Registration System.
Progress: Transition towards more centralized system. Since, the amount of interest in land ownership is increasing.
Challenges: Absence of supporting documents, duplications and multiple registrations resulting into claiming dispute.
Digitization Efforts
LRMIS: Acquired 30 petabytes of data, scanned of 10 million pages and updated 55 million records online.
Effectiveness: Higher productivity, reduced malpractices and transparent procedures.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, The Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) has significantly enhanced the land management in terms administration in Punjab. By introducing modern tools such as computerized data-base system: making it reliable, accountable, efficient, proficient and approachable for all the proprietors and stakeholders of the Punjab. Thought their online services it makes the whole process easy and convenient for the end user.
