Simplification of procedures is an important tool in providing timely and efficient service to the people. Recently, the Revenue Department declared that the mutation of land rules have been amended empowering the Mamlatdar to certify the mutation of land record if the previous owner gives a declaration or no objection to it at the time of executing the sale deed or gift deed before the Sub Registrar. However, there is one sticky area that defies reason when the mutation is sought by a legal heir of a deceased estate leaver.
One of the legal and recognised proofs of heirship and inheritance of estate of a deceased landowner is obtaining a judgement of a Civil Judge on completion of inventory proceedings in a court in terms of Civil Code and Portuguese Civil Procedure Code wherein the death of the estate leaver is proved and death certificate kept on record. Even after this, the Mamlatdar insists on sending a notice of mutation to the deceased owner which is invariably returned by the post office with the remark -- party expired.
The matter doesn’t end here. The applicant is then asked to seek substituted service of publication of the notice on local newspaper thereby causing delay and expense. This part of the mutation process of sending a notice to the deceased owner when death is already proved in a court of law, as per the prevailing law, should be done away with. The Revenue department should examine this matter.
