Punjab revenue and rehabilitation minister Bikram Singh Majithia claimed here on Monday that the Akali-BJP alliance in Punjab was as solid as a rock since both parties had jointly weathered many political storms.
Interacting with the media after inaugurating the new sub-tehsil office here on Monday, Majithia said the two parties shared an emotional bond. He added that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was the first party to support Narendra Modi’s candidature for the post of prime minister.
Replying to a query regarding former BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu’s criticism of the SAD leadership, Majithia described it as “unfortunate and sad”, adding that during previous Lok Sabha elections, it were SAD-ruled assembly constituencies which had given Sidhu a decisive lead.
‘e-stamping soon’
Majithia said Punjab was set to roll out e-stamping of property registration to facilitate online registration, besides making the process transparent, hassle-free and secure. He added that in the first phase of governance reforms, the government had computerised property records and now, in the second phase, the focus was on making revenue transactions citizen-centric and speedier. He said the state government was set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Stock Holding Corporation of India (SHCIL), a central record-keeping agency, to implement this system, adding that the Punjab cabinet had already notified a detailed policy on e-stamping.
Majithia stated that in the first phase of e-stamping, SAS Nagar, Jalandhar and Bathinda would be covered as pilot districts. In December, the districts of Patiala, Sangrur, Rupnagar and Amritsar would be covered. In the next 3-4 months, the entire state would be covered, he said.
{{/usCountry}}Majithia stated that in the first phase of e-stamping, SAS Nagar, Jalandhar and Bathinda would be covered as pilot districts. In December, the districts of Patiala, Sangrur, Rupnagar and Amritsar would be covered. In the next 3-4 months, the entire state would be covered, he said.
{{/usCountry}}The minister stated that he had received a consolidated report of undervaluation of registered deeds throughout the state and had asked the revenue department to recover undervalued amount from the buyer, besides initiating exemplary disciplinary action against erring officials. He said the undervalued deeds were estimated to be to the tune of around Rs 150 crore.