Uttarakhand tehsildar seeks voluntary retirement citing excessive workload - Hindustan Times
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Uttarakhand tehsildar seeks voluntary retirement citing excessive workload

Hindustan Times | ByMohan Rajput, Rudrapur
May 31, 2018 10:33 PM IST

Govind Prasad was posted as the tehsildar (revenue officer) in June last year at the Champawat district headquarters tehsil. Three months ago, he was given additional charge of Lohaghat and Barkot tehsils due to lack of officers in the district. On May 26, he wrote to the district magistrate seeking voluntarily retirement

A tehsildar posted in Uttarakhand’s Champawat district has sought voluntary retirement, citing excessive workload and stress.

A tehsildar posted in Uttarakhand’s Champawat district has sought voluntary retirement, citing excessive workload and stress.(Photo for Representation Purpose)
A tehsildar posted in Uttarakhand’s Champawat district has sought voluntary retirement, citing excessive workload and stress.(Photo for Representation Purpose)

Champawat additional district magistrate Hemant Verma had resigned in Febraury on the same ground. His resignation created an uproar in political and administrative circles because of his honesty and dutifulness. He later withdrew his resignation after requests from senior officials; he was granted leave for rest.

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Govind Prasad was posted as the tehsildar (revenue officer) in June last year at the Champawat district headquarters tehsil. Three months ago, he was given additional charge of Lohaghat and Barkot tehsils due to lack of officers in the district. On May 26, he wrote to the district magistrate seeking voluntarily retirement.

“I am now 59 years old; my health does not allow me to take load of working for three tehsils at the same time. I have been suffering from severe stress, so I am opting for VRS (voluntary retirement scheme),” Prasad said.

“I have to work three days in Champawat and two days in Barakot and Lohaghat tehsils. I find it difficult to perform my duties under such hectic schedule,” he said. “I have always been a devoted officer and I can’t compromise with my duties. In such a condition how can an officer like me perform duties sincerely? I am going to retire next year.”

District magistrate Ahmed Iqbal was out of station, so his version couldn’t be taken despite attempts.

Champawat, an interior district of Uttarakhand, has five tehsils. Barakot tehsildar post has been lying vacant since 2016; later Lohaghat tehsildar Neeru Chawla was given additional charge of Barakot tehsil, officials said. Chawla went on child care leave since Feburary, so Prasad was given the charge of Lohaghat and Barakot tehsils.

“A tehsildar performs duties other than revenue work. He has to perform VIP duties, disaster management work and attend meetings called by higher officers. He is sometimes exerted political pressure,” an official said on condition of anonymity. “It is natural that such an officer (tehsildar) bears excessive work pressure; a busy schedule often leads to stress and mental tension.”

Accepting shortage of officers, ADM Verma said, “Prasad has been given additional charge of Barakot and Lohaghat tehsils. Once Lohaghat tehsildar returns from leave, the situation will be normal. We have written to higher authorities regarding the shortage of revenue officers in the district.”

According to rules, an employee, who has attained the age of 50 years or who has completed 20 years of service, may seek VRS by giving a notice of not less than three months.

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