Ahmedabad: The Gujarat govt may soon start receiving suggestions and objections on the proposed jantri rates offline besides the current online system. Senior officials in the state revenue department held a meeting and received feedback, based on which it was decided to allow an offline system in a day or two. The govt has also asked all district collectors to get maximum feedback from stakeholders to avoid controversies after the new rates are notified.
Sources said that top revenue department officials met district collectors and senior officials linked to stamp duty collection for their feedback. "Local officers have also demanded an offline system for jantri objections because a large number of stakeholders are unable to submit their objections online. Within a day or two, the state govt may allow offline objections and suggestions, and a format will be prepared for it to ensure that these arrive in uniform manner and data compilation remains easier. Farmers and developers can submit their grievances regarding the proposed jantri to the local mamlatdar office in that format. Many farmers have already submitted their objections offline at various mamlatdar offices, and these objections will also be taken into consideration," senior official said.
According to sources, the maximum objections so far have been received from Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot districts.
The draft revised jantri rates were announced around a fortnight ago. A large number of farmers and some developers found navigating the system difficult due to its complex format, leading to them demanding an offline system.
Credai-Gujarat has also written to the state govt seeking an offline system and an extension to the deadline to submit feedback beyond Dec 20. Officials said the final decision on this will be taken at a higher level in the govt.
Credai said there should be an easier process so that farmers from remote places too can send in their comments. An email ID, which many farmers do not have, is mandatory for the online process. Several other farmers have voiced difficulty in getting an OTP. Besides, internet connectivity is poor in many villages.