The federation of patwaris of the mountainous areas continued their agitation in support of their demands on Thursday a day after reaching an agreement with the State Government after talks held with Revenue Minister Yashpal Arya on Wednesday. leaders of the federation alleged that the Government order they received on Thursday violated the agreement reached in the presence of Revenue Minister both in letter and spirit.
The patwaris are mainly agitated at the Government’s decision to provide 10 per cent reservation for the ministerial employees (clerks) in the post of Nayab Tehsildars.
On Thursday, hundreds of patwaris of the mountainous areas gathered on the Parade Ground and protested against the State Government. The patwaris have eleven district associations covering the mountainous regions of the State. They have vowed to continue their stir till their demands are met.
DS Kumai State secretary of the federation of patwaris of mountainous areas told The Pioneer that they are feeling cheated by the Government and the patwaris are now determined to continue the agitation.
The patwaris are on pen down strike since January 1 on their twelve-point agenda and their strike has affected the lives of rural hill folks of the State, as these revenue officials are a vital cog in Government machinery especially in the mountains where both police and revenue works are handled by the Patwaris.
Works like issuance of mutation certificates, Revenue records, character certificate, caste certificate and domicile certificates have stopped due to the strike. NS Negi of Bantholi village of Pauri Garhwal told The Pioneer that general
public is facing hardships due to the strike. He said that many youths of the area could not participate in the Army’s recruitment drive at lansdowne on Wednesday as they could not produce the required certificates due to the strike.