Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Standing Committee on Revenue Department has called for announcement of an incentive package including up-gradation of Patwaris from BPS-9 to BPS- 11; Qanoongos from BPS-11 to BPS-12 while the post of Tehsil Accountant from BPS-7 to BPS-11 respectively. The matter of the special incentive package for Patwaris and Qanoongos was initiated through a suo motto notice of the chairman, standing committee.
The committee held meetings on July 29, 2015 and December 14, 2015 to discuss the issue. Those who attended were included MPAs Ziaullah Khan Bangash, Mohammad Asmatullah, Askar Pervez, Rashida Rifat and Yasmin Pir Mohammad.
During the proceeding, the chairman, standing committee, Maulana Mufti Fazal Ghafoor was told that patwaris and other officials of the Revenue Department have observed strike and work in patwarkhanas have come to standstill and the ultimate affectees with general public.
The provincial government and the association of patwaris have held negotiations and at the same time the committee also took suo motto notice of issue and asked the department for giving detail briefing. In this connection, Secretary, Board of Revenue (BoR), Fakharuzzaman told the standing committee that the department had taken steps for the redressal of the complaints of patwaris under which the BPS of patwaris was up-graded from BPS-5 to 9. The present government, he said had fixed the stationery of Rs 500/- per month while their basic pay is increased by 50% patwari allowance. Similarly, he said that the provincial government has also approved a rent of Rs 8000/- per month for patwarkhana in urban area and Rs 5000/- for rural area. He said that as junior clerk, which is recruited in BPS-5 with qualification of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) has been up-graded to BPS-11 while Patwari is recruited in BPS-9, with intermediate education qualification along with completion of patwar course. But, he has to perform other duties including appearance in courts. Therefore, their salary is nominal. The chairman, standing committee had appreciated the measures of the department, but stressed need for taking more steps to prevent corruption and promote white income. He said that a patwari, which has completed record 30 years of services, is still working on a basic salary of only Rs 13000/- which in the prevailing price hike is sheer injustice and cruelty. Therefore, he said realistic review of the incentives of patwaris is a must so they could be provided their day to day facilities.
The chairman, standing committee further said that during British Raj the fee of Fard was one rupee with 33% share of the concerned patwari and remaining for the government. Similarly, he said that the allowance of Gurdawari and bag allowance is also meagre. Furthermore, they are also not entitled for transport facility. He also present brief on the up-gradation and other incentives granted to Patwaris in Punjab, which was included BPS-10 for patwari, BPS-12 for Gurdawar and BPS-16 for naib tehsildar and BPS-17 for tehsildar respectively. Therefore, he also called for review on the incentives provided to patwaris in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to redress their complaints. He expressed concern over the matter that patwari are not getting suitable return for attending courts' proceedings and that is also not paid on time while the lack of conveyance is increasing their grievances. Therefore, they called for comprehensive strategy regarding court and provision of suitable expenses and transport to them and fixation of specific days for their court attendance.