Revenue work hit as Patwaris go on indefinite strike

SRINAGAR — As Patwaris across Jammu and Kashmir commenced their indefinite strike on Wednesday to press for their demands, common people suffered as routine work in Patwari offices came to a halt.

Several senior citizens, widows, property buyers and farmers who made various rounds of Patwari offices on Wednesday to get their documents processed told the news agency CNS that they suffered huge losses due to the strike.

Many people who were hoping to get domicile certificates and income certificates have also been suffering due to this strike. Even those hoping to get an income certificate and authorization letter from the Patwaris for various schemes were unable to do so due to the ongoing strike.

Meanwhile, on being contacted, the association President Abdul Majid Malla said that their strike is only symbolic to get the attention of the government towards their genuine long-pending demands.

“We met the J&K administration and put before them our genuine demands in the month of March last year,” Majid said, adding the administration then assured them that all the demands will be taken care of on a priority basis.

“On at least four issues, the administration said the action will be initiated within a month’s time, now that it already has been one year since then, we are yet to see anything done on the ground,” he said.

On being asked about the problems faced by the public, Malla said that they have no option left now other than an indefinite strike to press for immediate fulfillment of their demands.

“We are aware of problems faced by the masses but our strike has been forced by the government’s failure to respond to our demands,” he said and added, “We will continue our agitation till the demands are fulfilled.”

The Patwaris are demanding the implementation of the written agreement between their representatives and the government on March 9, 2022, and resolving all genuine issues on a priority basis.