Government Tightens Grip on Ownership Scheme: Collectors Ordered to Enforce Registry, Act on Non‑Compliant Patwaris

The state government’s ownership scheme, aimed at formalising land records, has hit a stalemate as several patwaris have declined to register their holdings. The impasse has raised concerns among officials who say the delay hampers the scheme’s objective of creating a transparent land‑ownership database.

In response, the chief secretary issued a directive to all district collectors, ordering them to commence the registration process without further postponement. Collectors have been asked to issue notices to patwaris who do not cooperate and to initiate disciplinary action as per existing service rules.

Officials warned that non‑compliance could attract penalties ranging from suspension of duties to removal from post. The directive aims to accelerate the rollout of the scheme across Madhya Pradesh and ensure that the land‑record modernization proceeds as planned.