Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the government would fill vacant posts in those circles where the patwaris had announced an indefinite pen-down strike. (Express photo)
Punjab to fill revenue posts in all circles, not to invoke Esma against striking patwaris
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The Punjab government is learnt to have decided not to crack down on protesting patwaris and kanugos as it has found a workaround—giving additional charge of two or three circles to retired patwaris who have been re-employed, cutting short probationers’ training period and appointing new officials.
Despite the government having said it would invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act (Esma), the Revenue Patwar Union has observed a pen-down strike in the circles that were additionally handed over to the patwaris. However, the government is said to be not willing to take any action against the patwaris. Two days ago, it suspended two senior IAS officers for dissolving the gram panchayats “prematurely”.
Sources said the government had carried out an exercise to ensure that no circle is left vacant when it is in the process of paying compensation to flood victims.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the government would fill vacant posts in those circles where the patwaris had announced an indefinite pen-down strike. There are 3,660 circles and 1,623 patwaris in them. The government had re-employed 537 patwaris who had retired some time ago. It now has to handle 1,500 circles.
Mann said the government would appoint 586 more patwaris, adding that the attendance of patwaris would now be marked with a biometric system.
“We have come up with a solution. In these 1,500 circles, we have decided to appoint 741 who were appointed as probationers and had to undergo training of one and a half years. We have decided that we will reduce their training period. They have been demanding a monthly stipend of Rs 19,000. We decided that if we have to give them a stipend of Rs 19,000, why don’t we pay them this much as salary and ask them to take care of the work,” said an official of the government.
“We have also selected 710 as patwaris and we will now expedite the process to appoint them. The plan is to hold a function and hand over letters of appointment to them. This will also send a message to the agitating patwaris,” the official added.
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For the rest of the vacancies, and to help the new appointees, the government has already spoken to the re-employed patwaris. “They will handle two circles each and also help the new entrants to oversee their work. By that time, these new appointees will also get trained,” said the official. “This will take care of the strike. There would not be much of an issue. Then we will not need to start action under Esma,” said the official.
Revenue officials have been on a confrontational path with the government since the arrests of Balkar Singh (patwari), Darshan Singh (naib tehsildar) and Vipin Bhandari (subdivisional magistrate) in Patiala . The FIR against the trio, registered on August 23, concerns an unregistered will of a prime land in Khanauri in Patiala. They have said the FIR was registered without taking prosecution sanction under Section 17 A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
After revenue officials gave a notice to the government, the chief minister ordered Chief Secretary Anurag Verma to invoke Esma and warned that if they resorted to the pen-down strike, he would hand over their pens to others. However, the patwaris said that they would observe the strike in the circles where they were not posted.
The Punjab Civil Service Officers Association has extended support to revenue officials.
Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India.
Professional Background
Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state.
Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions.
Special Projects:
Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship.
Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government:
1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs
"Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.
"Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor.
"Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas.
2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls
"Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections.
"AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections.
"Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership.
3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy
"Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government.
"Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP.
4. Welfare & Economy
"Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program.
"Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025).
Signature Beat
Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens.
X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More
