Amid pen-down strike by revenue officials, Mann hands over appointment letters to 710 patwaris, implements 260% hike in stipend

Mann said those who have been selected are highly qualified and include “BTech, MSc, MCom, BCom degree holders”. The minimum educational qualification for selection to the patwari’s post is graduation. Sources said that several lawyers were among those handed appointment letters.

While handing over the letters, Mann, in an apparent reference to patwaris boycotting additional work, said it was unfortunate that some people have made it their habit to create inconvenience in the name of pen-down strikes for supporting their “corrupt colleagues”.

“This is unwarranted and undesirable. If you use your pen, then you will get many perks. If you threaten pen-down strike, then you will not get anything. The state government will not make any compromise with the interests of the common man,” Mann said.

The revenue officials, under the banner of the Revenue Patwar Union, had on September 1 launched an agitation after a patwari and a kanungo in Sangrur district were booked under a corruption case last month. The state government ordered to invoke East Punjab Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1947 against the agitators who had initially announced a pen-down strike but later, in a climb down, said they will attend work in their own revenue circles but not take on any “additional” responsibilities.

Asking the revenue officials to perform their duties with honesty and dedication, Mann said, “Did you need to seek any minister’s help to get there? Earlier also entrance exams were held but it involved bribes. Did anyone ask you for money? It never happened earlier that for patwari’s post, you did not have to pay money. When you go out in the field, lakhs of files will come to you. I hope you will be upright and make just decisions”.

Stating that Rs 5,000 was too inadequate for these patwaris who had come into service after clearing a tough competition, Mann announced to enhance their monthly training allowance to Rs 18,000 with immediate effect.

Announcing the recruitment of the patwaris annually on the lines of the Police force, Mann said an advertisement for the post of 586 new patwaris will be issued soon. The regular recruitment of revenue officials will streamline the functioning of the department on one hand and facilitate the people of the state on the other, he said.

Exhorting patwaris to “judiciously use their pen” for the welfare of the people, he said that pen-down strikes have never done any benefit to anyone. “Reactions are always there whenever we try to change the system…I have high hopes from you especially when 201 among you are women. You have to fight a system in which you will be offered bribes. Just remember that you have a pious responsibility on your shoulders”.

Mann said his government has provided more than 35,000 jobs to the youth in various departments. “Merit and transparency have been the twin pillars on the basis of which jobs have been given to the youth across the state,” he said.

Launching a scathing attack on the opposition parties, Mann said that those who were living in palatial houses during their heydays of power had been ousted from the political scene of the state. He said that the state has witnessed the dawn of a new era as these people who were considered invincible have been shown the door by the people.