Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, July 30: Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced that the state government is undertaking a massive digitisation initiative to scan all old records from taluk offices, aiming to make them easily accessible to the public.
“We want to ensure that people can access their documents right at their fingertips,” he said at a press conference held at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium, DC Office, Manipal on July 30.
The minister emphasised that the digitisation effort would help prevent the loss or damage of old documents and reduce the potential for forgery. “Out of a targeted 100 crore pages, 34.29 crore have already been scanned since January. The aim is to complete the entire digitisation process by December,” he added.
Since July, it has become mandatory for citizens to apply for services online—either from their homes, Nada Kacheris, or DC offices. So far, 1.13 lakh pages have been digitised and distributed.
Speaking on disaster preparedness, the minister noted that with rainfall expected to continue until August, gram panchayat-level task forces must remain vigilant. “I have instructed the deputy commissioner and Zilla Panchayat CEO to ensure these teams stay active,” he said.
Byre Gowda also outlined the government's efforts to clear long-pending revenue cases that had long burdened citizens, especially farmers. “When I assumed office two years ago, there were 10,774 pending cases in the Tehsildar courts. Many farmers were forced to spend their valuable time attending hearings instead of focusing on their livelihoods. Through a statewide campaign, we have reduced this number to just 457,” he stated. “These issues were often exploited by middlemen, knowingly or unknowingly. We’ve put an end to such outdated practices,” he added.
He noted that the situation was even more concerning in the assistant commissioner (AC) courts. “When I took charge, 62,857 cases were pending, including 59,339 that had remained unresolved for over a year and 32,757 for more than five years. Some cases were pending for over a decade, which is unacceptable as AC courts are required to resolve cases within six months. We’ve taken serious action, and 44,249 of those cases have now been resolved. Currently, 18,631 cases remain,” he said.
On the topic of land surveys (podi), the Minister highlighted the success of the 'Nanna Bhoomi Darkasthu Podi Abhiyana’. “In the past, surveys were neglected. Now, we are conducting them proactively, even door-to-door, without waiting for applications. Three years ago, only 5,801 podis were completed in the entire state. In just the past seven months, we have finished 1,11,754. District officials have been instructed to complete 10,000 more in the next three months,” he said.
Further reforms include district-wide flexibility for land registration, allowing property to be registered at any sub-registrar office within the district. Time-slot booking has also improved efficiency and reduced waiting times. “Currently, there is no proposal to open any new sub-registrar offices,” the minister clarified.
Addressing the issue of deemed forests, he said, “We have issued a joint circular from the forest and revenue departments to enable better coordination and transparency. Joint surveys will be conducted where deemed forests overlap with revenue land.”
Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa T K, Zilla Panchayat CEO Pratheek Bayal, and other senior officials were present at the press conference.