E-Abiana worsens farmers' plight

Express Tribune

28-04-2025

The computerised billing system under the new e-Abiana (water tax) system launched by provincial government to collect water tax from farmers has become a source of frustration for them due to multiple flaws.
Farmers are also troubled by a 200% increase in the abiana (water tax) and a reduced payment deadline. Thousands of farmers across the district were not provided their computerised bills in time under the e-Abiana system.
Even where bills were delivered, discrepancies were found in names, ownership details, and other entries.
Due to the shortage of canal water and low wheat prices, many farmers were unable to pay the tax on time, which has impacted overall revenue collection. The abiana bills were issued on April 1, 2025, with April 15 set as the payment deadline.
Though payment can be made through nearby banks, mobile phones, or apps, the bills were not delivered on time, resulting in non-payment by farmers.
Unlike WAPDA or Sui Northern Gas, no system was devised to deliver e-Abiana bills to millions of farmers at their doorstep within two weeks of issuance.
Department of Irrigation issues the water tax, while the Revenue Department is responsible for its delivery and collection. Coordination and staffing issues between the two departments have led to unresolved errors.
It is worth mentioning that during the tenure of former Punjab CM Usman Buzdar, a century-old system was abolished and the Revenue Department's role in abiana collection was limited.
The government had launched the e-Abiana project to collect water tax from farmers using canal water in a manner similar to utility billing systems like WAPDA, Sui Gas, and PTCL. However, due to the Punjab Revenue Establishment's lack of attention, flaws in the newly launched e-Abiana system remain unaddressed, rendering it ineffective.
According to Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, Chairman of the Kisan Bachao Tehreek, and Syed Mahmood-ul-Haq Bukhari, Chairman of All Pakistan Kisan Foundation, crop prices especially wheat farmers have crushed the backbone of farmers. On top of that, canals are dry.
Previously, canals were operated weekly, but now they are shut down, depriving farmers of water, which is leading to barren land and economic devastation for farmers. They criticised the Punjab Irrigation Department's 200 percent increase in abiana during such times, calling it a cruel move that will further worsen farmers' plight.
They also said that due to skyrocketing costs of fertilizer, diesel, electricity, and seeds, farmers are already under immense strain. In these conditions, the 200% hike in agricultural water tax amounts to state-level oppression.
Sources revealed that after the water tax collection system was linked online last year, revenue collection has been declining rather than improving.
Irrigation Department sources claim the Revenue Department is not cooperating in identifying payers. Meanwhile, Revenue officials blame the Irrigation Department for technical flaws in billing and updates in the e-Abiana system, which they say are the responsibility of the Irrigation Department. This blame game has severely impacted tax collection.
Due to finger-pointing between departments and incorrect records, the e-Abiana billing system seems to be failing in the district. With collections worth millions delayed, not only has achieving the annual target become impossible, but it also poses a threat to the provincial treasury.
According to farming circles, despite computerisation of revenue records, the data was compiled under a "dunk-dapo" (haphazard) policy, resulting in incorrect names, parentage, and land ownership details, halting collections completely.
A farmer Abid Hussainsaid that when they approach revenue officers or patwaris for record correction, they are told the data has been sent back to the Irrigation Department, causing further delays. Irrigation officials said revenue authorities don't cooperate and create obstacles over minor issues.