Imphal, May 30 2009: The land record computerisation work being taken up jointly by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), Manipur State Centre and Directorate of Settlement and Land Records has not only failed but a sum of Rs 76.89 lakhs sanctioned for the purpose has been retroverted as the same could not be utilised in time.

According to NIC sources, as the computerisation of land records and registration under 11 SDC circles and three Sub-Registrars has failed, a sum of Rs 76.89 lakhs sanctioned by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Dept of Information Technology for the purpose has been retroverted on May 28 .

Prior to this the Additional Secretary of the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development had asked for submission of utilisation certificates with regard to Rs 199.77 sanctioned for computerisation of land records (CLR) and another sum of Rs 60.03 meant for strengthening of revenue administration (SRA) and Upgrading of land records (ULR).

But the demanded utilisation certificates could not be furnished in time as there is no progress in the work, the source disclosed.

Absence of an efficient and permanent Director of Settlement and Land Records and detection of inconsistencies between the code numbers provided by the NIC and the revenue village codes during the survey operation are among the main causes responsible for failure of computerising the land records, the source cited.

Moreover, there is no effect of MLR Act in the hill areas with the exception to around 1000 villages adjoining valley districts but falling under Chandel, Senapati, Churachandpur and Sadar Hills.

Even if the Settlement Department has completed the survey work on some of the land records under its registration, report of the same have not been made available to the Deputy Commissioners concerned nor taken into confidence on land records which are yet to be covered under the survey, the source said, adding that NIC has also not updated the records.

Following suspicion on appointment of some Home Guard personnel in March 2005 without the approval of the Home Department as well as in defiance of the restriction imposed on new recruitment, the State Vigilance Commission had been entrusted to investigate into the matter.

During the course of verifying the list of 225 Home Guard personnel furnished to it, the Commission could detect that 178 Home Guards have been appointment after the Home Department had imposed restriction on new recruitment by datebacking the order.

Subsequent to its finding the report of which has also been submitted to the Home Dept and the Dept of Personnel, the Commission has recommended to the Govt for suspending the Home Guard personnel who have been appointed through illegal means, the source disclosed.

As to the involvement of the Commandant and 12 other Commanders, the Commission has recommended to the Govt for initiating major penalty against them, the source conveyed, adding that acting on the recommendations of the Commission, the Home Department has written to the DGP for necessary procedures.

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