SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Government of Punjab
The Punjab government has introduced the Punjab Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2025, proposing procedural and digital reforms to the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887 aimed at reducing delays in revenue litigation, limiting procedural abuse and granting legal validity to digitised land records and orders.
Key Procedural Reforms
No remand by appellate authorities: Appellate revenue officers will no longer be allowed to send cases back to lower authorities, a practice that often prolonged disputes.
No review of interim orders: The Bill bars review petitions against interim orders, reducing repetitive challenges during ongoing proceedings.
Stronger fact-finding powers: Revenue officers may summon relevant persons where necessary, except in uncontested mutation cases.
Digital Governance Measures
Legal validity of digital records: Digitally signed land records and revenue court orders will be treated as legally valid for all purposes.
Digital identity authentication: Land records databases may use Aadhaar, PAN, or similar documents to verify identity.
Online limitation clock: The 60-day appeal period will now begin from the date an order is uploaded online, aligning legal timelines with digital workflows.
Standardisation in Land Partition
Uniform partition rules: Partition must follow standards notified by the Financial Commissioner.
Speaking orders required: Any deviation from prescribed standards must be justified through a reasoned order, improving accountability.
Policy Relevance
The Bill strengthens procedural certainty, reduces repetitive litigation, and embeds digital-first land governance, supporting faster dispute resolution, clearer land titles, and improved ease of doing business at the state level.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can states balance faster revenue adjudication with safeguards against exclusion or error as land records and judicial processes become fully digital?
Follow the full news here: THE PUNJAB LAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025