Amid Patwari and Kanungo strike, Himachal Govt assures uninterrupted Certificate access

Himachalscape bureau Published: March 12, 2025 | Updated: March 12, 2025 3 minutes read

Shimla, March 12,

The strike by Patwaris and Kanungos in Himachal Pradesh has created significant disruption, but the state government has assured that the issuance of necessary certificates will remain unaffected. During the ongoing budget session of the assembly, Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur highlighted the issue, raising concerns about the impact of the strike on essential services like the preparation of certificates needed for school admissions. He pointed out that with the academic session approaching, the non-availability of these documents could pose serious difficulties for students.

Responding to these concerns, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu clarified that the strike would not hinder the certification process required for school admissions or job applications. He stated that students can self-attest their documents while securing admission in state-run educational institutions. The same provision would apply for government job applications within the state, ensuring that the strike’s impact on these processes remains minimal.

For individuals seeking employment opportunities outside the state or applying to educational institutions beyond Himachal Pradesh, the issuance of certificates will now be handled directly by higher revenue officials, including Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), Tehsildars, and Naib Tehsildars. The Chief Minister also announced that a formal notification detailing these measures would be released shortly.

Despite these reassurances, the indefinite strike has led to a halt in the issuance of crucial documents like Himachali domicile certificates, income certificates, caste certificates, OBC certificates, unemployment certificates, land ownership records, farmer certificates, and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificates. With school admissions underway, the daily demand for these documents has surged to over 3,500 across the state.

In addition to certificate-related issues, the strike has also disrupted vital revenue department services, including Jamabandi updates, Nishandehi (land demarcation), Girdawari (crop inspection), agricultural census, Intkaal (mutation) entries, land partition cases, encroachment reports, bank Kisan Credit Card (KCC) verifications, and the provision of online services. The ongoing e-KYC process across the state has also come to a standstill, adding to the inconvenience faced by citizens.

The root of the unrest lies in the government’s decision to restructure the cadre system of the Revenue Department. Previously, Naib Tehsildars, Patwaris, and Kanungos operated under a district cadre, which determined their recruitment and promotion guidelines. However, the state government recently abolished the district cadre, introducing a state cadre system for these roles.

This restructuring has sparked opposition from the Himachal Pradesh Joint Rural Revenue Officer and Kanungo Federation, which fears that the new system will adversely affect their promotion channels. Frustrated by this decision, Patwaris and Kanungos across the state have resorted to an indefinite strike, demanding a reconsideration of the policy shift. As the situation remains tense, the state government’s efforts to mitigate service disruptions continue, though the long-term resolution of this standoff remains uncertain.

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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.

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