RAWALPINDI, Nov 23: The district administration on Tuesday suspended a patwari for taking bribe through his associates besides ordering 100 patwaris in the city to deal with the people directly.

Patwaris often avoid sitting in offices in Rawalpindi city and their associates deal with the people, who according to revenue officials, take bribes.

Deputy District Officer Revenue Arif Rahim on Tuesday suspended patwari Munshi Nawaz. “Yes, majority of patwaris take bribe through their associates but we have principally decided to discourage the practice,” the officer told Dawn. Mr Rahim said all patwaris had been asked to ensure presence in offices.

“I have suspended the patwari on the grounds that his associates were taking bribes in land transfer cases. Almost every patwari in the city has cronies who take bribe from people. This is really bad practice,” Mr Rahim asserted.

The revenue authorities said all patwar offices in Rawalpindi city would be purged of associates so that people could directly approach patwaris.