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

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 “There have been significant changes in the registry system, but the exam syllabus for registry clerks remains outdated.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.

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.

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