Chennai, July 30 (IANS) In a major administrative reform aimed at reducing delays and curbing corruption in the Revenue Department, the Tamil Nadu government is set to introduce a simplified three-step approval process for issuing revenue certificates.
The proposal, which is expected to be announced during the forthcoming Assembly session, seeks to replace the existing multi-level verification system with a faster and more citizen-friendly mechanism.
The reform will apply to a range of commonly sought revenue certificates, including community, income, nativity, residence, widow, legal heir, deserted woman and unmarried certificates. These documents are essential for accessing welfare schemes, educational admissions, employment opportunities and various government services.
The existing process has long been criticised for procedural delays, excessive paperwork and allegations of corruption at different stages of verification.
Under the current system, applications submitted through e-Seva Centres are first forwarded to the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) for field verification.
They are then examined by the Revenue Inspector before moving to the Headquarters Deputy Tahsildar or Deputy Tahsildar for scrutiny.
Only after clearing these stages do the applications reach the Tahsildar, who serves as the final approving authority. The proposed system will eliminate the Deputy Tahsildar stage altogether. Once the VAO completes field verification and the Revenue Inspector scrutinises the application, it will be sent directly to the Tahsildar for approval.
Officials believe that removing one layer of processing will significantly reduce the time required to issue certificates while improving administrative efficiency and accountability.
Government sources said the reform forms part of a broader initiative to modernise revenue administration and strengthen citizen-centric governance. By reducing procedural bottlenecks, the government expects faster service delivery and greater transparency in the issuance of certificates.
The proposal has received a positive response from the Tamil Nadu Village Administrative Officers’ Association, though it has suggested that the government consider an even simpler model. Association State president R. Arulraj said a two-step process could be explored, under which applications would be verified either by the VAO or the Revenue Inspector before being sent directly to the Tahsildar for approval.
Such a system, he argued, would further minimise delays without compromising verification standards.
The government is expected to formally unveil the revised procedure during the upcoming Assembly session as part of its continuing efforts to improve public service delivery and make the Revenue Department more efficient, transparent and accessible.
–IANS
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