The Punjab Land Revenue Act of 1887 defines the powers and duties of revenue officers responsible for the collection and administration of land revenue in the Punjab province.

Powers and Duties of Revenue Officers

Patwari

Powers:

• Maintain accurate records of land ownership and cultivation in their area.
• Collect land revenue from farmers and submit it to higher-level revenue officers.
• Issue documents such as Jamabandi and mutations.
• Conduct periodic inspections of land, crops, and buildings.

Duties:

• Assist in settling disputes related to land revenue.
• Verify and maintain records of land and crops in their area.

Kanungo

Powers:

• Supervise Patwaris in their area.
• Assist in land surveys and other administrative tasks related to land revenue collection.
• Maintain revenue maps and records of rights and liabilities of landowners.

Duties:

• Assist in settling disputes related to land revenue.
• Inspect land and verify the accuracy of Patwari’s records.

Naib-Tehsildar

Powers:

• Supervise Patwaris and Kanungos in their sub-division.
• Hear appeals from decisions made by Patwaris and Kanungos.

Duties:

• Settle disputes related to land revenue.
• Inspect land and verify the accuracy of Patwari’s records.

Tehsildar

Powers:

• Supervise Naib-Tehsildars, Patwaris, and Kanungos in their district.
• Hear appeals from decisions made by Naib-Tehsildars and other lower-level revenue officers.

Duties:

• Decide on land revenue matters and settle disputes.
• Conduct inquiries and investigations into revenue matters.
• Inspect land and verify the accuracy of Patwari’s records.

Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO)

Powers:

• Supervise Tehsildars and Naib-Tehsildars in their sub-division.
• Hear appeals from decisions made by Tehsildars and Naib-Tehsildars.
• Implement government policies related to land revenue collection.

Duties:

• Assist in settling disputes related to land revenue.
• Conduct inquiries and investigations into revenue matters.
• Inspect land and verify the accuracy of Patwari’s records.

District Revenue Officer (DRO)

Powers:

• Supervise Tehsildars, SDOs, and other revenue officers in their district.
• Hear appeals from decisions made by Tehsildars, SDOs, and other lower-level revenue officers.
• Revise decisions made by lower-level revenue officers.

Duties:

• Decide on land revenue matters and settle disputes.
• Implement government policies related to land revenue collection.
• Conduct inquiries and investigations into revenue matters.
• Inspect land and verify the accuracy of Patwari’s records.