Protest against Cantt Registry branch enters third day

Rawalpindi

Protest by the hapless clients against officials of the Cantonment Registry Branch Rawalpindi entered third day. Strangely enough the powers that be in the city district government under whose nose the protest is going on are unruffled and prefer to look the other way. 

They protesters allege that the officials work like a mafia with private touts spread all around.

They have been looting the public and would not do even a lawful job without receiving illegal gratification. 

They added that the private 'tout mafia' is working for government officials as they are main hurdle in government’ programme to establish 'One Window Operation' here in Rawalpindi Cantonment Registry Branch. The District Revenue Department (DRD) has miserably failed to provide relief to public. 

The angry protesters have appealed to the chief minister Punjab to look into the matter immediately as 'corrupt mafia' is not only looting public but is also not registering even their genuine documents.

The concerned registry ‘moharir’ who has been working in the same position for the last of five years demands big amount as 'bribe' to register a document. 

Rawalpindi Cantonment Sub-Registrar Mehar Ghulam Abbas told' The News' that he was keenly monitoring all matters in order to nab the mafia and take strict action against the corrupt.

He said that he was a new appointment in Rawalpindi therefore it may take some time to understand all issues. But, I will never spare corrupt mafia, come what may. He advised the public to contact him directly if they have some complaint or grievance. 

Shahnaz Bashir an old lady from Scheme-III said that she had been running from pillar to post for three hours and nobody was listening to her. She said that she was fasting and she is in a miserable condition in the scorching heat. She said that she had no money to grease the palm of some official.

She retorted why should she pay bribe while she has already paid all government dues. She said that she was happy that Shahbaz Sharif has introduced new technologies and systems for the betterment of public. He should attend to this office too so that corrupt mafia is eradicated. 

Shafqat Mehmood, a resident of Kotha Kalan alleged, "I am continuously visiting the office for registration of land document but Cantonment Registry Branch Kutchery Revenue staff through private 'tout mafia' is demanding big amount as bribe.

If I will pay bribe then my documents will be cleared otherwise not." He also alleged that officials from top to bottom are hand in glove in this matter. 

As one of the protesters he declared: "We would block all major roads to expose corruption of Cantonment Registry Branch Kutchery, as we don't have any other choice but to take to streets," he warned.

The protesters raised slogans against Cantonment Registry Branch, Rawalpindi and demanded of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to practically start one window operation to end corruption in the revenue department.

They appealed to him to conduct a surprise visit of Cantonment Registry Branch, Rawalpindi and check the helplessness of public. 

An important officials of the city district government, Rawalpindi on condition of anonymity said that there was an under hand dealing of Cant Registry Branch Rawalpindi with other high ranking officials.

All other Registry Moharirs have been changed in all tehsils but Moharir of Cant Registry Branch was working here on the seat for five years, the official said. 

Fiza Haroon, a lady protester said that there was no doubt that Punjab government was introducing several programmes to curb corruption but unfortunately not monitoring the system.

"The same staff was handling all system then how would corruption be reduced," she added. Why Punjab government is not hiring educated youngsters to bring about corruption free system, she said.

The protesters also said that first of all it was impossible to get computerised land 'fard' which was necessary for registration of a document.

"When we bring land 'fard' after paying big amount as 'bribe' then we face worst kinds of difficulties in the registry branch, Kutchery as all staff demands bribe," protesters alleged. It is our right to register land documents easily, it is our right to get land 'fard' without giving bribe but we are totally helpless before this system, they said.