Revenue officers and employees across Maharashtra have called off their statewide work stoppage. The decision came on Thursday after a crucial meeting with Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who provided concrete assurances on a host of long-standing financial and service-related demands.
Key Assurances End Agitation
The breakthrough occurred during a meeting at Mantralaya between Minister Bawankule and leaders of the Maharashtra State Revenue Officers and Employees Coordination Federation. The union representatives described the minister's promises as "positive and concrete," leading them to suspend their agitation immediately.
According to union officials, discussions covered 13 separate issues. A major point of contention was the suspension of staff. Bawankule assured that suspensions linked to the Maval incident in Pune would be revoked within three days of the inquiry report's submission. Furthermore, suspensions of revenue staff in Palghar district were promised to be withdrawn right away.
Minister's Firm Stance on Accountability and Reforms
While addressing the grievances, Minister Bawankule emphasized accountability within the department. He clearly stated, "An inadvertent mistake can be forgiven once, but a deliberate wrongdoing will not be pardoned. Any lapse in government work or in service to the public will not be excusable."
He also directed officials to withdraw all actions taken at the district collector level concerning minor minerals cases. To improve working conditions, the minister announced plans for a new system to curb illegal transportation, which he said would reduce the need for revenue staff to respond to late-night incidents.
Promises on Pay, Promotions, and Infrastructure
The minister made several significant commitments regarding career progression and benefits for the revenue workforce:
- Proposals to revise pay scales for deputy tehsildars, circle officers, and revenue assistants will be placed before the state cabinet.
- Wages for the strike period will be released to the employees.
- An internal departmental examination for the post of deputy tehsildar, similar to the police recruitment process, will be conducted.
- The government is positively considering resolving the grade pay issue for deputy tehsildars.
- New laptops will be provided to talathis to modernize field operations.
On administrative reforms, Bawankule confirmed that work is underway on a revised staffing pattern for the revenue and land records departments, and employee suggestions would be considered. He noted that around 750 promotions have already been granted, with priority given to additional collectors and subdivisional officers. A special meeting has been scheduled to discuss the approval of this revised staffing structure.
Addressing External Pressures and Police Interference
Seeking to reassure the officers, Minister Bawankule urged them not to yield to external pressure. "Do not do any wrong work under anyone's pressure. If someone harasses you to force a wrongdoing, bring it directly to my notice," he told the gathering.
Responding to concerns about police interference in quasi-judicial matters, Bawankule assured the federation that he would personally raise the issue with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The series of assurances has successfully defused the immediate crisis, bringing thousands of revenue officers and employees back to work across Maharashtra. The focus now shifts to the timely implementation of the promises made by the revenue minister.
