SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Revenue Department has ordered the transfer of 739 pending cases concerning correction of land records to district Deputy Commissioners, while directing Collectors not to reject applications under Section 32(1) of the J&K Land Revenue Act solely on the ground that the one-year limitation period has expired.
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The directions were issued by the Financial Commissioner (Revenue) in an order dated October 30, 2026, clarifying the jurisdiction of revenue authorities in matters relating to corrections in the Record of Rights (RoR).
Under the order, the pending cases before the Financial Commissioner’s court and other appellate revenue forums will be transferred to the respective Deputy Commissioners, who will hear and decide them in accordance with the law.
The order clarifies that Collectors cannot refuse to entertain suits under Section 32(1) merely because the one-year limitation period previously associated with the repealed Section 49 has elapsed.
To facilitate the disposal of these matters, the administration has directed the constitution of a three-member committee in every district. The committee will be headed by the Assistant Commissioner Revenue or Sub-Divisional Magistrate concerned, with the Tehsildar concerned and a representative of the Regional Director of Survey and Land Records as members.
The committees will examine relevant records, undertake on-the-spot verification where required and submit their recommendations to the respective Collectors within one month. The final decisions will have to be issued through reasoned orders.
The Financial Commissioner has also directed all Deputy Commissioners to submit monthly progress reports to the Registry of the Financial Commissioner (Revenue) by the fifth day of every month.
Pulwama accounts for the highest number of transferred cases at 203, followed by Budgam with 102 and Srinagar with 90.
The district-wise distribution includes 66 cases in Kulgam, 48 each in Jammu and Udhampur, 46 in Baramulla, 40 in Anantnag, 25 in Ganderbal, 19 in Kupwara, 14 in Shopian, 13 in Ramban, seven each in Reasi and Bandipora, five in Kathua, four in Rajouri and two in Samba.
The order seeks to address difficulties faced by applicants whose requests for correction of land records were not entertained by local Collectors on limitation grounds, forcing them to approach the Financial Commissioner’s court under Section 27 of the Act.
The department expects the transfer of cases to district authorities, along with field-level scrutiny by the committees, to facilitate the disposal of pending matters and reduce the burden on higher revenue forums.