Premium

Punjab govt to replace old hand registry clerks with new appointees in tehsildar offices

According to the feedback received from the Deputy Commissioners during departmental meetings, only 10 to 15 per cent of existing registry clerks have ever passed the official registry clerk examination.

Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma (EXpress File)

Aiming to root out corruption from sub-registrar offices, the Punjab Revenue Department has ordered the removal of long-serving registry clerks, citing their alleged role in perpetuating bribery in property registrations.

Issuing a directive, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Anurag Verma has stated that the existing registry clerks should be relieved of their current duties and replaced with newly appointed employees. These new recruits will now assist registrars and sub-registrars in carrying out property registrations.

The order comes in the wake of persistent reports of prevalent corruption for registry work that remains rampant in tehsil offices, despite previous measures. “The nexus is proving difficult to break because the same registry clerks have continued in their posts for years,” Verma stated in the letter.

According to the feedback received from the Deputy Commissioners during departmental meetings, only 10 to 15 per cent of existing registry clerks have ever passed the official registry clerk examination. Even when attempts are made to remove them, many reportedly managed to return to their old posts, raising concerns about a nexus.

To address this, the department has decided to deploy new employees. Those who have completed at least seven years of government service will be asked to assist in registry work. They have been given six months to pass the registry clerk qualification exam.

Verma also emphasised the need to modernise the recruitment and training framework for registry clerks. “There have been significant changes in the registry system, but the exam syllabus for registry clerks remains outdated. It too is being revised,” he wrote.

An official said that this is a part of a larger effort by the Punjab government to improve transparency and restore public trust in the land registration system, a sector long plagued by allegations of bribery, touts, and procedural delays.

Story continues below this ad

District administrations have been instructed to implement the changes swiftly and report compliance. The government has warned that resistance or delay in executing these orders will not be tolerated.

The move follows a series of reports and internal audits that reported manipulation in property valuations, delays in issuing registries, and instances demands of commission by staff in many tehsils. In some offices, registry clerks were reportedly found operating hand-in-glove with touts and agents.

The government has also instructed deputy commissioners to personally monitor the replacement process and ensure that newly posted clerks are rotated regularly to prevent the emergence of new patronage networks.

Tehsildar offices in Punjab handle thousands of property transactions every month, making them a critical interface between citizens and the government. However, complaints of harassment and corruption have long plagued the system, prompting this latest crackdown.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram