The revenue officials in Punjab, known as kanungos and patwaris, initiated an indefinite strike on Friday in revenue circles where they have been assigned “additional” responsibilities. The strike follows a recent corruption case filed against a patwari and a kanungo — both revenue officials — in Sangrur district, prompting the state’s Revenue Patwar Union to call for the strike.
The patwaris and kanungos in Punjab have refused to undertake any work related to additional charges assigned to them in no less than 3,193 revenue circles. However, they continue to carry out their duties in their original revenue circles, including those related to flood relief.
Initially, the patwaris had threatened a complete pen-down strike. However, on Thursday, they decided to attend work in their respective revenue circles but refused to take on any additional responsibilities.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in a warning to the protesting revenue officials, had directed the Financial Commissioner (Revenue) to invoke the provisions of the East Punjab Essential Services (Maintenance) Act (EPESMA), enabling criminal proceedings against employees participating in the strike, particularly during a time when the State is dealing with floods.
The representatives of the state's revenue officers, including patwaris and kanungos, have announced their intention to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the State Government's decision to invoke the ESMA.
The ongoing strike by Punjab's revenue officials highlights their dissatisfaction with the additional workload imposed on them and their concerns about potential legal actions taken against them. It also underscores the delicate balance between addressing government employees' grievances and ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of essential services to the public.
The strike was triggered by the registration of a corruption case against a patwari and a kanungo in Sangrur district. The patwaris allege that the approvals of the Deputy Commissioner and the Financial Commissioner were not sought before the case was filed.
The patwaris argue that the government is paying them for the work of 1,522 patwar circles and 412 kanungo circles, but they are being asked to perform additional work in 3,193 circles. They contend that this is an unjust burden on them. One of the demands of the Union is the appointment of new patwaris to alleviate the workload.
The strike is indefinite, and the patwaris remain resolute in their decision, irrespective of whether the government invokes EPESMA or other provisions.
Government officials have called on the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that the strike does not negatively impact the public. Efforts are being made to minimize disruptions in essential services.