- Advocate PSN Prasad
The Dharani website, introduced by the Telangana government, has become a source of concern, likened to a cancer that the government is struggling to address. While the government claims that Dharani has streamlined land registrations and resolved previous issues, the reality seems far from it. The registration process may be smoother for those already listed on Dharani, but what about those who are not?
Complicating matters further, some individuals are attempting to sell lands that they have already sold in the past, relying on their continued presence in Dharani. This situation has left those without a Dharani listing deeply worried. The existing 1971 Act, which has been in place for a considerable period, could have been amended to address concerns when the new Telangana State was formed. However, it was set aside in favour of the implementation of Dharani. The lack of clarity regarding potential issues with Dharani portal creates a precarious situation.
Resolving these problems rests solely on the benevolence of the authorities, leaving affected individuals with little recourse. Consequently, some individuals have sought legal intervention, resulting in the High Court overturning the authorities’ orders against thousands of people. The court has recommended revisiting the respective issues for resolution, yet the authorities’ disregard has led to numerous contempt of court cases being filed. Consequently, the Chief Commissioner of the Land Administration was summoned by the High Court, which issued appropriate directives.
Meanwhile, unscrupulous brokers have seized the opportunity, positioning themselves in every mandal Tahsildar and District Collector’s office, claiming to provide solutions to Dharani-related problems at exorbitant fees. However, this practice is both unconstitutional and illegal. In light of these circumstances, it is imperative to consider the positive aspects of the 1971 Act while discarding elements that harm the public interest.
Incorporating suggestions and advice from all stakeholders can pave the way for necessary amendments to the existing legislation. Dharani, in its current form, lacks the necessary provisions for physical applications and explanations for rejected applications. The Dharani website has no provision to punish the erring officers and instead protects them, which inadvertently gave rise to additional complications apart from the problems existing under the previous law.
