All J&K Patwar Association Secures Major Assurances from J&K Financial Commissioner Revenue in Key Meeting – Alfaaz – The Words

Jammu: In a major breakthrough for the Patwar fraternity, the All Jammu & Kashmir Patwar Association (AJKPA) has received multiple commitments from the Financial Commissioner Revenue (FCR) of Jammu & Kashmir during a high-level meeting on Thursday.

Led by UT President Ghulam Mohammad Sofi, the delegation met the FCR to present a detailed charter of demands, raising concerns over excessive workloads, service conditions, and policy gaps affecting Patwaries and Girdawars across the Union Territory.

The discussion, which lasted for over an hour, saw the FCR responding promptly to several pressing issues, from rationalizing Patwar halqas and revising grade pay to introducing digital solutions for settlement and streamlining transfers and promotions. Sofi also submitted minutes from a recent meeting issued by Commissioner Secretary Revenue, Rajiv Ranjan, directing Patwaries to complete four major assignments in just one week.

Questioning the practicality of such an order, the FCR contacted the Commissioner Secretary on the spot and fixed a follow-up meeting for August 18 to directly resolve the matter.

During the talks, the FCR expressed full support for rationalization of GQ circles and Patwar halqas, calling it essential to reducing workload pressures, and assured its completion at the earliest. He reaffirmed his recommendation for a revision of Patwaries’ grade pay, describing it as a “genuine demand,” and confirmed readiness to revalidate his stance if required.

On settlement operations, the FCR announced that an ETS-based system would commence immediately after digitization of Jamabandies, utilising a mobile application funded by the Central Government. Postings of newly promoted GQs in Jammu province are to be carried out after August 18, with priority transfers for those serving outside home districts for over three years. He also committed to holding the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) for look-after Naib Tehsildars after August 18, introducing a regulated transfer policy, and providing the “best possible” e-infrastructure alongside proper training facilities.

Addressing the time frame for issuing fards, the FCR agreed to extend the limit and authorize Naib Tehsildars and GQs to sign the documents, while ordering immediate verification of reversion cases via the portal. Additionally, an online Annual Performance Report (APR) portal will be developed to eliminate delays caused by officer transfers.

The meeting ended on a highly positive note, with the AJKPA leadership lauding the FCR’s responsiveness and terming the assurances as a constructive step towards resolving longstanding issues of the Patwar and Girdawar cadres.