While there is still time for the State Government to roll out the foolproof e-title deed-cum pattadhar passbooks, a ‘trace’ of duplicate passbooks, allegedly issued by revenue officials by not following laid down procedure is turning out to be a conundrum among multiple stakeholders here.
At least 15 farmers in Khudabakshpalli and Venkepalli villages in the Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme area in Marriguda mandal are with a duplicate passbook, while their original books are with the bankers (pledged) and private lenders.
However, few farmers with their ‘new’ duplicate passbooks when contacted maintained that they were issued by the authority after they lost the original.
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The specific tip-off was by an aggrieved pledgee, Sekhar Reddy (name changed), who approached the district administration twice to detail his grievance, but was sent back.
“A senior officer threatened me of booking a case if the issue was out, as private money lending by pledging passbooks was illegal,” he said.
Showing the original passbook of the ‘defaulting farmer’ in his possession, Sekhar Reddy said the passbook owner, through a duplicate passbook, was already considered for land compensation in the Project. And, that his settlement of dues now stood dishonoured.
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Sources at the Marriguda Mandal Revenue Office, a new team of officials since August 2017 after the existing staff gradually moved out, said there were 16 duplicate passbook issues found, but their issue by a proper procedure remained a ‘doubt’ and needs to be inquired.
For a duplicate passbook, submitting an application attached with an FIR copy, NOC from a bank in the jurisdiction and other registered copies at a Mee Seva centre is mandatory.
Speaking to The Hindu , Joint Collector C. Narayana Reddy said all land oustees' compensation was considered after duly verifying the title deeds and passbooks.
“There is no deviation of whatsoever in that regard. A full inquiry into the duplicate passbooks issue will be done,” he said.
Mr. Narayana Reddy also did not reject the suspicion, like other officials, that few farmers were settling old scores in the name of duplicate passbooks.