Pune Revenue Dept Mandates Online-Only Corrections to Land Records

Pune, 11th June 2025: In a decisive move to enhance transparency and curb irregularities in land record management, the Pune Revenue Department has announced that all corrections to 7/12 land extracts (Satbara Utara) must now be carried out exclusively through an online system. This directive applies to all modifications under Section 155 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966, effectively ending offline and manual alterations to land records.

The State Land Records Department has issued a new circular mandating the digital-only process. The initiative aims to prevent the misuse of discretionary powers by certain tehsildars, who were allegedly making unauthorized changes, particularly those related to ownership rights, area calculations, and illegal name insertions on government or grazing lands.

Digital Trail for All Changes
As per the new rules, every correction made to a 7/12 extract must be digitally recorded, along with the identity of the official making the change and the legal order authorizing it. These records will be open to scrutiny, enabling public accountability and minimizing the chances of tampering.

Manipulation in the Name of Correction
While the state had launched a comprehensive digitization drive to modernize land records, the transition exposed several inconsistencies—such as mismatched names, incorrect land areas, and flawed legal annotations. Tehsildars were given authority under Section 155 to correct these mistakes, but reports emerged of rampant misuse. In some cases, individuals were illegally listed as owners of government or grazing lands through backdoor entries.

In response, the state government initiated a special audit and directed Divisional Commissioners to investigate and report any misuse. Although these reports have been submitted, no disciplinary action has yet been taken.

To bring uniformity and prevent future abuse, the Land Records Department has issued comprehensive guidelines on permissible actions under Section 155.

“These updated procedures are aimed at preventing arbitrary changes while improving the integrity and auditability of the land record system,” said Dr. Suhas Divase, Commissioner of Land Records, Pune. He further stated:

-All corrections must be processed online only
-Every change must have traceable digital verification
-Non-compliance or outdated manual corrections may lead to disciplinary action

A Step Toward Cleaner Land Governance
This reform is expected to strengthen the credibility of Maharashtra’s land administration, which forms the backbone of property rights, real estate transactions, and public governance. By ensuring a secure, accountable, and transparent correction process, authorities hope to eliminate loopholes that have plagued the system for decades.