Land record to be computerised by June 2014: CM

[Salman]

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the historic project of computerisation of land record would be completed by June 2014 in 140 tehsils and this modern system would be fully functional in all districts of the province.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of a land record centre at Lahore Cantonment on Sunday, Shahbaz said that computerisation of land record would eliminate corruption, bribery and forgery in matters relating to land as well as rid the people of the obsolete and exploitative system of patwari and tehsildar.

He said that nothing was impossible if one was determined enough. He said that Pakistan was facing terrorism, energy crisis and a number of serious challenges, but “living nations come out of all the crises through hard work, honesty and continuous struggle”.

He said there was a need for self-reformation to change failures into successes and become an invincible nation.

The chief minister said that Pakistan could achieve a dignified status in the comity of nations through determination, honesty and relentless efforts.

He said that the completion of the historic project of Punjab land record computerisation would enable citizens to obtain proprietary deeds of their lands as well as facilitate them in the matters regarding transfer of land, which would be a big change in the system.

He said that former rulers did not pay due attention to the important project due to which a large sum of public money and time of the nation was wasted.

However, he said, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government furthered the project of land record computerisation expeditiously and this project would be facilitating the people of the province from June 2014.

He said that completion of the project would eliminate tehsildar and patwari culture. He said that the government was not against patwaris and tehisldars, but there was a need to change their mentality, which had been a source of problem for the people for centuries.

He said that despite summaries of government officers, he had not recruited even a single patwari during the last six years, and had appointed honest, hardworking and talented persons though the Punjab Public Service Commission at the service centres, adding that the government had also adopted an effective check and balance system for the purpose.

The chief minister further said that those criticising the welfare projects of the Punjab government were least concerned about the betterment and uplift of the masses. He said that some elements criticised the metro bus project and termed it a jangla bus service, and also remained engaged in the propaganda of expenditure of Rs 70 billion on the project. “Today, 150,000 people are benefiting from this splendid project daily,” he said.

Shahbaz said that promotion of trade and economic activities was essential for the elimination of poverty, unemployment and terrorism.

He said that Pakistan was facing a serious shortage of electricity, which was essential for promoting agriculture, trade, industrial and economic activities.

He said that he was fully determined to rid the country of the energy crisis and agreements were being signed with foreign energy companies and investors for the purpose.

He said that he was confident that efforts in this regard would be successful and the energy crisis would be overcome. He said that the former rulers did not take energy problem seriously and due to their criminal negligence the country was immersed in darkness.

He said that due to corruption and greed of former rulers, an additional sum of Rs 30 billion from the public money was being spent on Nandipur power project. He said that work was being carried out expeditiously on the project and its one turbine would start operating from May 2014.

Addressing intellectuals, journalists and columnists who were present at the function, the chief minister said that executive and press go hand in hand and the government takes guidance from analysis and comments of journalists.

He said that the journalist community would have to play a key role in steering the nation out of despondency