Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala, who holds the portfolio of revenue and disaster management, has claimed that the new system of registries with an upgraded software will weed out corruption. Speaking to TOI’s Manvir Saini, Dushyant indicated that Haryana has started plugging loopholes in the excise policy, which have come to the fore with the recent liquor scam that rocked the state during lockdown.

What is the update on the system of registries on urban areas? What has been done to plug the shortcomings which led to misappropriation due to registries without NOCs?

The new system to be introduced in registration is foolproof. As of now, around 90% of town and country planning (TCP) and urban local bodies (ULB) department records have been digitised and uploaded. The pending task is that of integrating relevant records required for registries. We can start any day now after the records are integrated.

Registries without NOCs from the TCP and ULB department is a major issue. What has been done as immediate measure and what are the future plans?

Such lacunae have been completely plugged in the new software. Buyers and sellers will not get appointment until they complete the checklist of both the departments. Those in controlled areas will now have to apply for NOC with TCP and those in urban areas have to get clearance in terms of UID, property tax and development charges. Another benefit of the new system will be to buyers of properties in ULB areas. Now, sellers will have to clear all the dues before selling units. Some excise officials are being investigated and we have sought a report from divisional commissioners for future course of action to detect past wrongs.

Incomplete revenue records lead to manipulations by revenue officials as well as those in the real estate business. What are you doing to tackle this?

We have decided to have 3D imaging of all properties, which means that people will have access to complete information of the unit with image. Also, with digitisation, we are aiming for almost zero human interference or handling. We have already assigned the work of imaging with the surveyor general of India. In areas falling under ULBs, civic bodies will allot temporary UID of property and issue NOC after the seller clears all dues. In controlled areas, when a person applies with TCP, the authority concerned will attend to the application within a fortnight.

In the new system, the deputy commissioner and other officers have been given more responsibilities. Do you think there is sufficient staff in districts or tehsils to deal with the changed system?

Technically, we have sufficient staff at all levels but we are aiming at putting a stop to human interaction to reduce corruption. Therefore, we will be depending on necessary technology for the most part. But yes, we have more than sufficient manpower in revenue offices across the state.

What is the status of action on the recommendations of SET in liquor scam allegations?

We have already started implementing recommendations or have already put things in place. SET had given 14 recommendations.

Home minister had recommended a vigilance probe into this.

The report is with the chief secretary of the state. We have not received any communication regarding a vigilance probe. Let me get it first. We will go through the file. Liquor stocks went missing from the malkhana or malgodown, where the liquor seized by the police as well as excise officials were kept. Cases have already been registered and arrests have been made. We also plugged all loopholes in the excise policy last year — this is what the SET has also agreed on.

It is alleged that you and the home minister are waging a cold war as you do not see eye-to-eye on certain issues?

Not at all. We are colleagues, we sit together and discuss issues. We work as a team. Vij Sahib is quite elder to me. We respect each other.

Aditya Devi Lal has been made president of BJP Sirsa unit. He is apparently the first person from the Ch Devi Lal clan to get this important post in the BJP, what do you have to say to that?

Ch Devi Lal’s clan is expanding. Choice of party or ideology is always personal. As far as his appointment is concerned, it is good for residents of Sirsa district. But Aditya is not the first one. Ch Partap Singh had also joined the BJP. Besides, there were other family members who joined other parties. The clan is certainly growing and expanding.

Source: https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com