Additional charge syndrome creeps into lower strata of Revenue Department
KASHMIR NEWS TRSUT #KNT
Dozens of revenue officials (Patwaris) have been given additional charges besides their own duties. This has added to the miseries of the common people as these officers are overburdened.
Reports said that people have to wait for weeks to get their work done as most of the Patwaris have to attend two to three Patwar halqas a day.
“There was a land mutation case, but every time, I visit the office of the Patwari, I am being told that he is present in another halqa,” said Abdul Gafar, a resident of Zakura area of Srinagar outskirts.
Reliable sources told news agency Kashmir News Trust a Patwari who is posted at Chhatarhama has been given two additional charges – one at Khimber and another at Takia Sangri. Similarly, Patwari Zakura looks after the additional charge at Sadrabal. Patwari Chanapora has been given an additional charge of Bagh-e-Mehtab and Natipora. Patwari Nendpora Dal has been given additional charge of Guptganga Shalimar.
Earlier, Block Development Officers were assigned additional charges of two to three blocks but now this additional syndrome has crept into the lower strata of revenue department.
People are disappointed with the approach of the government. “Much chagrin to the common people, a Patwari with additional charge doesn’t do justice to his work and people are forced to visit the office of the Patwaris repeatedly. You are lucky enough if you find Patwari present in his office, otherwise, you get the same answer that Patwari is present at his other office,” a group of aggrieved people said.
It is the Patwari who does the groundwork and knows the pros and cons of the business, but giving additional charge to him makes him lethargic and disinterested. An additional charge means it is a burden on them. It becomes difficult for an official to run two offices.
A retired administrator wishing anonymity said that these actions not only display a complete lack of adherence to established guidelines but also raise concerns about transparency and fairness in the allocation of responsibilities within the district administration.
Despite repeated attempts, Commissioner Secretary Revenue Mr Piyush Singhla didn’t pick up the phone. [KNT]
