As part of the second phase of networking, the district administration has successfully completed the computerisation of land records in eight of the 12 talukas in Vadodara district, while work on two talukas is in the final stage.

Administration began the second phase recently under which, integration of various Government offices at the taluka levels were to be taken care of. The computerisation of the land records formed a crucial component of the second phase. Those talukas in which the computerisation of land records has been completed are Karjan, Padra, Shinor, Dabhoi, Chhotaudeipur, Kanwant, Naswadi and Sankheda. The computerisation of Vadodara rural taluka and Pave Jetpur is in the last stage.

"Computerisation will help in streamlining the land records. At just a click of a button, the status of any land will be displayed there on the screen," Deputy Resident Collector RD Kharsan said. All the records pertaining to form no 7/12 (which details the location, ownership and other aspects of the land) have been computerised. Officials said that since all the taluka-level headquarters are connected through the Gujarat State Wide Area Network (GSWAN), status on any land record can be obtained in any taluka and at any moment.

More importantly; the records will be available at the District Collectorate headquarters. "This will help in transparency as everything will be on line. All the details will be available at the Collectorate by click of the button. So cases pertaining to land records will be monitored effectively," said an officer.

Sources said that even the chances of land records being manipulated at talati-level will drastically reduce. In the past, the administration had received several complaints of land records being fiddled with in connivance with the talati office. In fact, in a recent land scam at Padra, several influential builders were reported to have manipulated the land record in their favour. "With the record being put on line, any manipulation with the records can be averted," said an officer.

Sources said the technical support team of district administration is working overtime for completion of second phase of networking before the gram panchayat elections. "The work is on and every attempt will be made to complete the work before the elections," said an officer. ‘Land record computerisation of all the talukas In Vadodara district will be completed before the elections’

Republished from Indian Express