Patna: Bihar’s Revenue and Land Reforms Department is preparing to bring all 537 circle offices across the state under a centralised CCTV surveillance network to strengthen monitoring of land-related services and curb complaints of irregularities and middlemen interference.
The proposed system will be monitored from a Command and Control Centre in Patna, allowing the department to keep track of activities at circle offices across the state.
Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Dr Dilip Jaiswal announced the plan during a press conference at the Araria Circuit House on Thursday. He said the department was following a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and that technology would be used to improve accountability.
Command Centre to Monitor Offices From Patna
Under the proposed system, CCTV cameras will be installed at important locations inside and around circle offices.
The footage will be monitored through the Command and Control Centre in Patna. The system is also expected to help officials review incidents and complaints by accessing recorded footage when required.
The department plans to maintain both cloud and local storage backups for CCTV footage, allowing recordings from specific periods to be retrieved during investigations.
Mutation Counters, CO Rooms and Record Areas Under Watch
The surveillance network will cover key areas where citizens visit for land-related services.
These are expected to include mutation and correction counters, record rooms, Circle Officer (CO) offices and revenue officials’ workrooms. CCTV cameras will also be installed at entry and exit points of the premises.
The department aims to monitor activities across the office rather than limiting surveillance to specific service counters.
Focus on Middlemen and Repeated Office Visits
Land-related services such as mutation, record correction and land measurement often require citizens to visit circle offices.
According to the minister, the surveillance system will help officials identify patterns such as people being repeatedly called to an office without a clear reason or applications being kept pending unnecessarily.
The department has also received complaints alleging illegal collections through intermediaries in land-related matters. Officials hope that greater monitoring will help identify unauthorised intervention and improve accountability.
Employee Attendance and Public Dealing Also to Be Monitored
The proposed CCTV system is also intended to help monitor whether officials and employees are reaching offices on time and how public-facing activities are being handled.
The presence of unauthorised persons on office premises may also be reviewed through the surveillance network.
If suspicious activity or irregularities are detected, the department may examine the relevant CCTV footage and initiate further action.
Action Possible for Unnecessary Delays
The department is also focusing on complaints related to land applications and files remaining pending without adequate reasons.
The minister indicated that disciplinary action could be taken against officials or employees if investigations establish irregularities, deliberate delays or other violations.
This means the proposed CCTV network is intended not only to record activities but also to support accountability when complaints are investigated.
Revenue Department Reports Recent Action
Dr Jaiswal also said that action had been taken against officials, revenue employees, data operators and other personnel during the previous three months as part of efforts to improve transparency in the department.
The latest surveillance initiative forms part of the department’s broader push to use technology in monitoring land administration.
With 537 circle offices proposed to be connected to the network, the system could provide the state headquarters with a centralised view of activities at local land offices.
The effectiveness of the initiative will depend on its implementation, regular monitoring and follow-up action on complaints and irregularities.
