Now, district revenue officers to acquire land for NHAI projects

JALANDHAR The Punjab government has appointed district revenue officers as the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) for future projects of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) by divesting Sub-divisional Magistrates (SDMS) of this power. Land acquisition in the state usually remains embroiled in controversies, with one party or the other alleging irregularities.

State revenue department additional chief secretary and financial commissioner Vishwajeet Khanna issued a notification on Wednesday, which reads, “The governor of Punjab is please to appoint District Revenue Officers (DROS) as the Competent Authority For Land Acquisition (CALA) to exercise the powers as such within their respective jurisdiction in the state for future projects of the NHAI under the National Highways Act, 1956.

“It is also subject to the condition that the DROS shall have passed the revenue and civil papers in the departmental examination conducted by the state and should be cleared at least in lower standard,” the notification adds.

A deputy commissioner, seeking anonymity, said the decision was welcome as Drorank officials had vast experience in revenue matters.

However, Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officers, who mostly work as SDMS in the state, are not amused. An Sdm-rank officer said it was shocking that their powers had been taken away.

An SDM claimed that, on March 13, 2000, the Punjab cabinet had decided that ordinarily, officers not below PCS shall be appointed as land acquisition collectors. He added that the decision was available on the revenue department website.

Punjab revenue minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar told HT over phone that DROS were expert in revenue matters and worked hands-on in the field. He added the new arrangement would expedite the process of land acquisition.

“The decision has been taken at the level of CM Capt Amarinder Singh,” said Kangar. Financial commissioner Khanna could not be contacted.