DHARWAD: Karnataka revenue minister Krishna Byregowda has been harping on digitization of documents which are the only source of information and also a legal proof of ownership.
In a bid to protect age-old records pertaining to land and other properties, to ensure transparency in administration, the minister is also insisting that all revenue offices be converted into e-offices.
However, not many offices, including Dharwad tahsildar’s office, seem to have taken the minister’s words seriously. The record room in the tahsildar’s office continues to be packed with old records which are on the brink of getting destroyed due to the presence of termites and bookworms.
The officials cite funds crunch as the reason for the delay in taking up the exercise of digitization of these records. The staff maintaining the records say they are finding it extremely difficult to preserve the documents which may soon get destroyed if arrangements are not made to digitize them.
Over 14 lakh important documents related to farmers and their farmlands are facing the threat of destruction.
Compared to tahsildar offices elsewhere, Dharwad tahsildar’s office which was built in 1912 by the British, has not seen much development.
Pre-Independence, this building was used as a jail to isolate freedom fighters. Post-Independence, this building was turned into a tahsildar’s office.
Though this is a century-old building, the walls are strong. However, heavy rain or strong wind will blow away the fragile tiled roof. Though minor repair works were done, the structure has not seen any renovation.
The demand from the staff and public to renovate or reconstruct the tahsildar’s office has gone unheard. The record room, adjacent to the tahsildar’s chamber, has over 14 lakh documents running into several lakh pages and belonging to properties in Dharwad taluk.
As the record room hasa tiled roof, dust is settling on the documents. Staff members are hesitant to enter the room fearing dust menace. The condition of Bhumi Kendra, Atalji Jan Sneha Kendra and Nemmadi Kendra is similar.
Tahsildar Doddappa Hugar said that the building is century-old and needs some repair.
A proposal to re-develop the building at a cost of Rs 42 lakh has been sent to the government. The tahsildar said the department requires funds to the tune of Rs 52 lakh to digitize the documents. “The matter has been brought to the notice of the higher-ups and we are confident that the funds will be sanctioned soon,” he said.
