Several media reports (more reports here and here) and social media posts about the digitisation of “land records, mutation records, sale and purchase records through Aadhaar linkage” began doing the rounds on Monday.

A letter, dated June 15, was addressed to all the Chief Secretaries of states, union territories, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and NITI Aayog. It directed them to digitise all land records 1950 onwards by August 14, 2017, failing which, “appropriate action” could be taken under Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amended Act, 2016.

As per the Act, anyone in violation of the order could attract a punishment of up to seven years along with a fine amount to 25 per cent of the property’s market value.

However, Press Information Bureau (PIB) clarified that the government never issued any letter in this regard. PIB released the following clarification on the letter and has filed a police complaint.

Director General of PIB, Frank Noronha called the letter “fake and mischievous”.

Amidst the hoopla around potential presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, Deccan Chronicle, Statesman and Asian Age are yet to issue due clarification to its readers despite PIB’s official response to the letter. NDTV, however, issued the following statement to its viewers.