Shimla, March 12,
The fourteen-day-long strike by Patwaris and Kanungos in Himachal Pradesh has finally come to an end following a crucial meeting between their union representatives and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi. This significant development took place at the Shimla Assembly on Wednesday, where discussions aimed at addressing the employees’ concerns led to a mutual agreement, ensuring their immediate return to work.
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The primary issue that sparked the strike was the implementation of the state cadre system, which had raised serious apprehensions among Patwaris and Kanungos regarding their career growth and promotion prospects. Employees feared that changes in service conditions under the new framework might impact their seniority and future opportunities. However, after detailed deliberations, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi provided a categorical assurance that their promotions would remain unaffected. He also clarified that the current Recruitment and Promotion (R&P) rules would stay intact for the time being, easing the anxieties of the striking employees.
Following this assurance, the Patwari-Kanungo Union decided to call off the strike unconditionally. The decision to resume work was announced after the union expressed satisfaction with the government’s commitment to safeguarding their professional interests.
Satish Chaudhary, President of the Patwari-Kanungo Sangh, confirmed that the meeting had been positive and productive, highlighting that the government’s promise to maintain the existing R&P rules until new ones are framed played a key role in their decision to end the strike.
The prolonged strike had caused significant disruptions in revenue-related operations across Himachal Pradesh, leading to delays in crucial services like land records management, property registrations, and mutations. With Patwaris and Kanungos returning to work from Thursday, normalcy is expected to be restored, clearing backlogs and bringing relief to the public.
This resolution marks a constructive step by the state government in addressing employee grievances through open dialogue and negotiation. By engaging with the union and providing the necessary clarifications, the government has demonstrated its commitment to balancing administrative reforms with employee welfare.
