Introduction of Naib Tehsildars, Kanungos and Patwaris as State Cadre by Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, 22 February: In a significant feat of administrative overhauling and strengthening of the framework in Himachal Pradesh, the state government has issued orders declaring all Naib Tehsildars, Kanungos and Patwaris as ‘State Cadre’ posts. The decision will also have far reaching consequences in the functioning of the Revenue Department, and will ensure more uniformity and efficiency in the administrative structure of the state.
The official notification in this regard was issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Omkar Sharma. Effective immediately, the order is sure to affect the day-to-day function, management and career paths of these key revenue officials.
Objectives of the Decision
The main purpose behind this decision is to organize job opportunities for Naib Tehsildars, Kanungos and Patwaris in the state of Himachal Pradesh. These posts are key to land record management, revenue collection and the functioning of the state’s revenue administration. As these jobs fall under the state cadre, it will systematize the role and responsibilities of these jobs in the government to prevent any lapse in work.
Notification — Key Provisions
A key part of the administration is a set of critical conditions attached to the government’s decision that would directly influence the administrative system. Important points in the notification are the amendment of appointment and promotion and disciplinary powers of the posts.
Appointment and Disciplinary Powers:
Appointment & discipline of Naib Tehsildars will now be held by Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary or Secretary (Revenue). It’d also mean that appointments and disciplinary matters regarding such officers are dealt with at the top level of administration, thus enhancing oversight and leading to a more centralized and standardized decision-making process.
Likewise, in case of Kanungos and Patwaris, the appointment of them and action against them on disciplinary matters will now be done on the behalf of Director of Land Records, Himachal Pradesh. The move is expected to reflect a more coherent management of these officers leading to a more streamlined and responsive administration.
Seniority and Service Related Issues:
The seniority and other service-related matters of Naib Tehsildars, Kanungos and Patwaris would be with the Directorate of Land Records, who is now the competent authority. This phased centralization will allow a more uniform approach to promotions, seniority lists, etc, making a solution on such matters faster, more uniform and less prone service-wise.
Ways of recruitment and promotion process:
Until new rules are in place, existing recruitment and promotion procedures will continue, the government has made clear. It goes to say that the existing guidelines for the filling of Patwaris, Kanungos and Naib Tehsildars vacancies will remain meaning until the revised recruitment rules are notified and provide for rigorous linkages between the posts of Naib Tehsildar and Tehsildar, this recruitment will go on as per the existing guidelines. This guarantees that this process does not get interrupted and there is continuity of governance in implementing these changes.
Desirable Reform Outcome
“The restructuring of the administration is, therefore, bound to yield dividends to both the officers and the general public that relies on an efficient functioning of the Revenue Department.”
Improving Coordination: Having a single state cadre will also significantly improve coordination between Naib Tehsildars, Kanungos, and Patwaris. This will ensure better coordination of these officers with various departments of the government and a seamless discharge of tasks related to land records, revenue collection, and enforcement, he commented.
Enhanced Career Progression: Appointments, promotions, and disciplinary actions will be handled through a central body thereby allowing better-defined career paths in these roles. This will ensure that officers understand what to expect in their career progression and are motivated to become more focused on their work. The standardized methodology will also help provide more consistent job security and clear reference for promotional opportunities.
Enhanced Accountability: This redesign in the decision-making structure especially the economy of the powers for disciplinary and administrative issues, would to greater accountability. This will help resolve any matters of misconduct, inefficiency or delay in the performance of duties at the state administration level swiftly and at a high level.
Centralized Control: This will also enable the Revenue Department and Land Records Directorate to deal better with any challenges that emerge from these sections. Concentrating all the powers in one body ensure that decisions are taken promptly, and any grievances related to the appointment, promotion and disciplinary action would be redressed prompter.
How This Affect the Public
The reform will cover citizens of Himachal Pradesh and will indeed accelerate the approach and quality of services being offered in the domains of land records, revenue collection and property management. As a result, Patwaris and Kanungos, who play a central role in land transactions, will now work on a more transparent and efficient system, that makes it easier for people to avail of government services.
In addition, the state government is aiming to improve the efficiency and speed of public service delivery through effective governance by reinforcing the administrative structure in the Revenue Department. This will also lead to prompt action with respect to land disputes, maintenance of record and other important services needed for the general public of Himachal Pradesh.
The Road Ahead
In implementing this administrative decision, it will be important to see how the rewritten system plays out in practice. Whether this reform will be successful or not will come down to how well the government continues to keep its eye on the ball and adapts the newly introduced state cadre system along the way to ensure it runs smoothly.
This decision of the government of Himachal Pradesh to standardize the working hours of the Secretariat is a very distinctive stamp of the government so that the state administration will function better and the people will get better facilities. [Earlier, all these key posts were held by different officers]With the merging of these critical posts into one single state cadre, the revenue administration in Himachal Pradesh is now about to be more orderly, time-bound, and transparent.
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