Bhu Bharati Rollout Stalled: Finance Department's Refund Restrictions Threaten Public Support
Hyderabad: Hopes for a smooth transition to the new Bhu Bharati land registration portal are fading as the Finance Department throws a significant wrench into the works. Launched as a replacement for the widely criticised Dharani portal, Bhu Bharati aimed to win back public trust and streamline land transactions. However, restrictions imposed by the Finance Department, spearheaded by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, are creating considerable hurdles and threatening to derail the initiative.
The core of the issue lies in the department’s reluctance to authorise refunds to individuals who cancel their registration slots on the Bhu Bharati portal. While cancellations are inevitable – due to technical glitches, changes in plans, or other unforeseen circumstances – the inability to receive a refund is causing significant frustration and deterring potential users.
Sources within the Congress government express concern that this policy is directly undermining their efforts to gain public support. The Dharani portal was plagued by issues, leading to widespread discontent among landowners and farmers. Bhu Bharati was presented as a solution – a user-friendly and reliable platform. But with the Finance Department's rigid stance on refunds, these promises are proving hollow.
“People are hesitant to register on the portal if they know they won't be able to get their money back if they need to cancel,” explains a government official who wished to remain anonymous. “This is counterproductive and will only lead to a repeat of the problems we saw with Dharani.”
The situation is particularly concerning for farmers, who rely on land transactions for their livelihoods. The inability to easily cancel and receive a refund creates a significant financial risk, discouraging them from engaging with the new system.
The Congress government is now facing a delicate balancing act. They need to appease the Finance Department while also ensuring that Bhu Bharati functions effectively and gains the trust of the public. A resolution is urgently needed to address the refund issue and prevent the new portal from suffering the same fate as its predecessor. Failure to do so could severely damage the government’s reputation and hinder its efforts to improve land administration in the state.
The ongoing dispute highlights the importance of inter-departmental coordination and the need for a flexible approach when implementing new government initiatives. A rigid adherence to financial regulations, without considering the practical implications for citizens, can ultimately undermine the success of even the best-intentioned policies.
The future of Bhu Bharati hangs in the balance. Will the Finance Department ease its restrictions, or will the portal become another symbol of bureaucratic inefficiency and public frustration?
