Srinagar: Working of the Revenue Department has been severely affected as Patwaris continued with their pen down strike in support of their demands. The strike enters sixteenth consecutive day on Tuesday.
Under the banner of the All Jammu and Kashmir Patwari Association (AJKPA), the Patwaris have been staging demonstration inside the premises of Deputy Commissioner’s Office here every day.
The protesting revenue officials said that government shall fulfil their genuine demands without any further delay. Their demands include grade pay of Rs 2800 for graduate Patwaries, timely departmental promotion committee of Patwaries and GQs, creation of GQ circle & Patwar Halqas, ban on direct recruitment of Naib Tehsildars, enhancement of allowances for Patwaries & GQs, rent for Patwar Khanna and meeting halls for Patwar association.
“We are forced to take the step by government’s indifference towards our genuine demands,” said one of the protesting Patwaris, Peer Shafat Rasool.
The protesters said that the government had assured their demands will be fulfilled long back but no steps have been taken so far. “We don’t want public to suffer. Government must resolve our genuine demands.”