GUJRAT: The revenue, Qanoongo and Patwar circles of Gujrat district may shrink in numbers in the next few days as the district administration has been directed by the Board of Revenue (BoR) to restore its revenue field staff posts as per the status of pre-settlement.

The field posts of the patwaris, gurdawars and revenue officers (naib tehsildars) were enhanced by the district revenue department when the settlement of the land revenue was launched in Gujrat in 2003. However, the settlement operations were completed in Gujrat at least three years ago and all the posts created for the settlement were also abolished by the provincial government about six months back. But the field staff posts of the revenue department in patwar, qanoongo and revenue circles which were increased by the start of settlement would now be restored at the actual level since the settlement operations and staff had been wound up from the district.

An official in the land revenue department said that there were some currently 40 Patwar circles and three Qanoongos only in Sara-i-Alamgir tehsil which would now be reduced to some 23 Patwar and two Qanoongo circles whereas the ratio of these circles would also be lowered in other two tehsils of Gujrat and Kharian of the district.

He added the restoration of the pre-settlement circles in the revenue department would cause an increased political pressure on the administration to get politicians’ favourite revenue officials posted in the new development as seats were being reduced.

“Usually, these field circles are filled on the recommendations by the ruling party lawmakers and it is being apprehended that such a political pressure might increase under which the administration would land in a difficult situation,” he added.

Dr Rani Hafsa, the additional deputy commissioner revenue (ADCR), told Dawn that as per the directions from the BoR, the revenue and Patwar circles would be brought to the pre-settlement level due to which the field circles might also face a reduction.

She said a plan had been made which would be executed for the posting and transfers of the revenue officials.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2019