Patwaris Protest Suspensions in Ratlam

A dispute has arisen between the Ratlam district administration and the Patwari Association over the slow progress in the Farmer Registry. The administration has suspended two patwaris, Mahesh Singhad and Parmanand Khedda, and withheld one day's salary from 10 others.

The suspensions were ordered after a review found that the progress in their jurisdictions was below the expected level. Mahesh Singhad, the patwari for Halka No 08, Pipliyaseer village in Jaora tehsil, was suspended after his progress was found to be below 30%. Similarly, Parmanand Khedda, the patwari for Halka No 48, Khedikala in Sailana tehsil, was suspended after the Farmer Registry work in Khedikhurd and Haldupada reached only 12.7%.

Both patwaris allegedly failed to respond to show-cause notices, which led to their suspensions under the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services Rules. The District Patwari Association has opposed the action and begun a sit-in at Gulab Chakkar, demanding the withdrawal of the suspensions and salary deductions.

The association's president, Gopal Rawat, argued that the two suspended patwaris had recently joined their postings and needed time to understand local conditions and organize farmer records. He also pointed out that both patwaris had performed well in their previous jurisdictions.

The association also stated that the 10 patwaris facing salary deductions had completed about 60% of the work, but were facing technical problems on the online portal, including issues with one-time passwords, mobile numbers, and Aadhaar authentication. These difficulties had slowed down the registrations, and the association claimed that officials had been repeatedly informed of these problems.

The Farmer Registry is a digital platform that links farmers' identities, land details, and agricultural information to facilitate access to government schemes and services. The association has warned that it will intensify its agitation if the punitive measures are not withdrawn.

The dispute highlights the challenges faced by the district administration in implementing the Farmer Registry, which is a crucial initiative for the welfare of farmers. The association's demands and the administration's actions will have a significant impact on the progress of the registry and the services provided to farmers.

In conclusion, the dispute between the Ratlam district administration and the Patwari Association over the slow progress in the Farmer Registry has led to suspensions and salary deductions. The association's opposition to the action and its demands for withdrawal of the punitive measures will be closely watched, as it affects the implementation of the registry and the services provided to farmers.