Himachal : Revenue Officials' Strike Disrupts Essential Public Services

Shimla: Revenue officials across Himachal Pradesh, including patwaris and kanungos, initiated a pen-down strike, leading to significant disruptions in essential public services.

The strike was a response to the state government’s decision to transition these officials from a district cadre to a state cadre, a move that has been met with considerable opposition.

Reasons Behind the Strike

The Himachal Pradesh Joint Rural Revenue Officers and Kanungo Federation expressed strong reservations about the government’s notification altering their cadre structure.

hey argue that this change impacts their recruitment and promotion prospects and does not address longstanding demands for better workplace facilities, such as the provision of computers and adequate sanitation in Patwar Circles.

Extent and Impact of the Strike

The strike commenced on February 28, 2025, with patwaris and kanungos ceasing work indefinitely. This action led to the closure of Patwar Circles, compelling officials to operate solely from Tehsil offices, where they limited their duties to disaster-related tasks.

Consequently, the public faced significant inconveniences, including delays in obtaining essential documents such as Himachali certificates, income certificates, farmer certificates, and EWS certificates.

Additionally, land registration processes, loan-related documentation, and the ongoing e-KYC verification were halted, affecting thousands of citizens.

Government’s Response

In reaction to the strike, the state government formed a committee to examine the officials’ demands. However, as of the end of February, no definitive decisions had been announced, leading to an escalation in the protest.

The striking officials warned that if their concerns were not addressed promptly, they would intensify their actions, potentially handing over office keys to Tehsildars and ceasing all services except those related to disaster management.

The strike’s impact extended beyond the immediate disruptions in public services. The suspension of land registration and mutation processes posed challenges for property transactions and related economic activities.

Furthermore, the halt in the issuance of various certificates affected citizens’ access to government schemes and benefits, thereby amplifying public dissatisfaction.

The Himachal Pradesh Revenue Officer Association extended its support to the striking employees, emphasizing the critical role these officials play in land record maintenance, revenue collection, and the implementation of government schemes.

They urged the state government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the protesting officials to resolve the issues amicably and restore normalcy in public services.

Sunil Chadha