A major lapse has come to light in Nangal sub-division of Ropar district, where the Kadamba Tourist Complex, acquired by the state Tourism Department nearly two decades ago, continues to remain registered in the names of private individuals in official revenue papers.The issue surfaced after the government recently initiated plans to revive and redevelop the long-neglected property as part of efforts to promote tourism in the Anandpur Sahib-Nangal belt. During the process, officials reportedly discovered that despite the acquisition of the property in 2005, mutation was never carried out in the favour of the department.Sources said taking the matter seriously, the government had initiated an inquiry to identify officials responsible for the lapse. Revenue authorities are now examining records related to the acquisition and subsequent administrative handling of the property.The Kadamba Tourist Complex, located in the heart of Nangal town, was once considered one of the prominent tourist facilities in the region. Developed to cater to tourists visiting the Bhakra Dam, Anandpur Sahib and the Shivalik foothills, the complex earlier functioned as a lodging and hospitality centre for visitors.However, over the years the property gradually slipped into neglect. The once-bustling complex today presents a deserted and dilapidated look. Large portions of the building are lying abandoned, the infrastructure has deteriorated and the premises have become virtually non-functional. Locals say the property, despite occupying prime land in Nangal town, remained ignored for years due to administrative apathy and lack of investment.The sources said when officials recently began examining the property for redevelopment, they found that ownership in revenue records had never been transferred to the department after acquisition proceedings were completed in 2005. The omission has now raised serious questions regarding the functioning of the revenue machinery at the time.“The department is trying to fix responsibility on officials who were posted in Nangal during that period and failed to ensure mutation of the property in the name of the government,” said a source familiar with the inquiry.Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Nangal, Sachin Pathak, confirmed that an inquiry had been initiated. “We are examining how the property continued in private names despite acquisition by the government. Responsibility would be fixed on officials concerned,” he said.The sources indicated that the government might also consider registration of an FIR if evidence of negligence or wrongdoing emerges during the inquiry.Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, who represents the Anandpur Sahib Assembly constituency, said the government was committed to developing Nangal into a major tourism destination because of its scenic surroundings and proximity to important religious and heritage sites.Reviving the old Kadamba Tourist Complex is part of the government’s larger plan to promote tourism in the region. It is unfortunate that the property was never transferred in the name of the department in revenue records. Whoever is responsible will be brought to book,” Bains said.The controversy has also drawn attention to a larger issue involving several government-acquired properties in the Nangal region. The sources said there were multiple parcels of land acquired by agencies such as the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and the Irrigation Department that still continue to be recorded in the names of private individuals in revenue documents.Officials admitted that such discrepancies had led to prolonged litigation in courts and administrative complications over the years.