Published On:Friday, 31 October 2014
Shivpora residents demand action against Patwari
Srinagar: Alleging gross mismanagement in providing interim relief to flood affected families in Shivpora area of Srinagar city, locals Thursday appealed Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Farooq Ahmad Shah and Commissioner Secretary Revenue Vinod Koul to hold inquiry into the matter.
Locals said that the concerned Patwari (Revenue official) Shaheen Ahmad didn't visit the area after flood waters receded. "We were expecting him to review the assessment of damages caused to our residential houses, However, he made the report of damages in closed rooms of the houses of blue eyed persons," said locals.
They added that the Patwari, when approached by locals refused to visit their flood affected residential houses and asked them to tell Deputy Commissioner to come and make the assessment.
"I am not your servant. Don't teach me rules. I am myself an authority and it is my discretion how to make assessment of damages and when?," locals quoted him as saying and alleged that the ‘arrogant’ Patwari misbehaves with them, as soon as they call on his mobile or meet him in person.
They added that they were shocked to see that the families who have faced least or at least no loss were provided cheques worth Rs 75000 as an interim relief.
"In fact, the Patwari sat with some land brokers and fixed the amount (Bribe) for the families who want to pit their residential houses in ‘Fully Damaged’ category," they alleged.
Demanding the delivery of justice and transfer of Patwari, the locals of Shivpora, which is the Southern part of Srinagar city and was badly hit by floods said that the poor people in the locality whose houses are unsafe to live in and falls in the category of fully damaged have been provided the cheques of Rs 3800 only. "It is the murder of justice and we urge authorities to go for re-assessment of damages by some impartial official," they added.
They appealed Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Farooq Ahmad Shah and Commissioner Secretary Revenue Vinod Koul to hold inquiry into the ‘bungling’.
When contacted, Patwari Shaheen Ahmed told that he is not the servant of the flood victims and hung up the phone. Despite repeated attempts he didn't pick up the phone again.
DC Srinagar Farooq Ahmad Shah said that he would look into the matter. "I am calling him into my office and would inquire into the matter," he assured.
Secretary Revenue, Vinod Koul down played the issue saying that Patwari is not authority to make the assessment of losses. "It is theteam of various officials who prepare the report," he said. (CNS)
