Srinagar, Mar 7: People seeking revenue extracts and reports are facing a plethora of issues due to the indefinite strike called by Patwaris throughout all districts of Jammu & Kashmir since March 1.
Nisar Ahmad, a Srinagar resident, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that owing to the strike called by Patwaris, he is not able to get a report for an income certificate.
“I have to submit an income certificate for my child in school and for the last five days, I have been visiting the Patwari office daily and return disappointed,” he said.
Another Srinagar resident said the Patwari of his area was directed to make a spot visit against an application but owing to the strike, he is refusing to come.
“I had moved an application at my concerned tehsil office, and the Patwari of my concerned area was supposed to make a spot visit to issue a report but unfortunately he is refusing to come saying they are on an indefinite strike,” he said.
Similar reports were received from various parts of the valley where people said they are facing problems due to the strike called by the Patwaris.
Meanwhile, Patwais said they have been fighting for their legitimate demands for the last 10 years. They have called for an indefinite strike from March 1, 2023, under the banner of the All J&K Patwar Association (AJKPA), and have refused to resume their duties till their “demands” are not fulfilled.
President AJKPA Abdul Majeed told KNO that they are “forced” to take this “extreme step”. “We were given a written assurance in the shape of an agreement last year on our demands which have not been fulfilled yet,” he said, adding that the government has adopted a dilly-dallying tactic.
“We understand that people are suffering as we are among them. However, we have decided to go on an indefinite strike and the onus lies on the government; they should take serious steps to resolve the issue. It is up to the government to end the strike as soon as possible in the interest of the public,” Abdul Majeed said.
He said they have been pressing for their demands like an increase in the grade pay of graduate Patwaris from 2400 to 2800, a ban on direct recruitment of Naib Tehsildars, the creation of Girdawar circles, and rationalizing of Patwar halqas.
“The administration agreed to increase the quote of promotions, as that has been done in UT of Ladakh in last year on a ratio of 75, 25 but till now the mechanism has not been implemented in J&K,” he said.
—(KNO)
