Punjab launches mediation committees for faster land dispute resolution

The Punjab government has introduced new mediation committees aimed at resolving land disputes more quickly and reducing pressure on the court system. Officials said the initiative seeks to ensure faster justice through structured local-level dispute resolution mechanisms.

Moreover, the Board of Revenue Punjab issued a formal notification confirming that the system became effective from April 30. Under the new framework, disputes will now be addressed through mediation before being escalated to courts, improving efficiency in handling land-related cases.

In addition, each mediation committee will consist of five members and will be led by an Assistant Commissioner. The team will also include an Assistant Collector, local revenue officials such as Girdawar and Numberdar, along with three representatives nominated by the disputing parties.

Meanwhile, the committees have been granted legal authority under Section 151(2) of the Punjab Land Revenue Act 1967. This legal backing allows them to actively resolve pending land disputes while ensuring fair participation from all involved parties.

Furthermore, authorities have set a strict timeline, requiring committees to resolve cases within 30 days. To support this goal, a monitoring cell has been established within the Board of Revenue Punjab to supervise performance and ensure transparency in decision-making.

Overall, the initiative aims to reduce long-standing land conflicts and provide citizens with faster access to justice at the local level. By encouraging mediation over litigation, the government expects a more efficient and accessible dispute resolution system across the province.

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