Sangrur bypoll: Patwaris to boycott AAP candidate

Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 14

The state body of the Revenue Patwar Union, Punjab, has threatened to boycott AAP candidate Gurmel Singh during the Sangrur Lok Sabha bypoll as a mark of protest against government’s unconcern towards their demands.

The union had launched an agitation against the government, which will conclude with a maha rally and protest march at Sangrur on June 20, three days prior to the polling day. While a memorandum shall be handed over to Deputy Commissioners by district units on June 16 and 17, subdivision level gate rallies were held at Raikot, Payal, Amargarh and Raikot.

State president Harveer Singh Dhindsa, district president Didar Singh Chhokar and subdivision presidents Jagdeep Singh Jagga, Narinder Singh Sidhu and Sandeep Kumar led the protestors held in the region falling under Ludhiana and Malerkotla districts.

“We will oppose AAP candidate Gurmel Singh but will not support any other candidate as ours is non-political organisation. Voter may chose NOTA but not AAP candidate,” said Harveer Singh Dhindsa.

Addressing rallies, speakers including Dhindsa, Jagga and Sidhu alleged that like successive governments, the AAP also failed to fulfil promises made to patwaris and kanungos. “Revenue Minister Braham Shankar Jimpa in a meeting held on May 9, had assured us that all pending genuine demands of the union will be accepted. But no action has been initiated yet,” regretted Dhindsa.

Filling of vacant posts, reduction of probation period from 3 to 2 years, approval of technical grade for patwaris and enhancement of office allowance were cited among demands which were accepted by the Revenue Minister in his recent meeting with the Union leaders.