Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Patwaris across the state started a trend on social media platform twitter on Sunday demanding higher grade pay and time scale. Patwaris are working on the same salary for past 22 years, said the office bearer of Patwari Sangh.
Following the strategy, patwaris first created their accounts on social media platform twitter. They decided to start trend #Patwari_wants_2800GP on Sunday and started the campaign from 11 in the morning.
“We have only two demands. Our grade pay should be increased from Rs 2100 to Rs 2800 and that Patwaris should also be given benefit of time scale,” said Upendra Singh Baghel, state president of Madhya Pradesh Patwari Sangh.
There are over 21,000 patwaris across the state. They had gone on strike for about seven times pressing the same demand but returned to work after assurance from the government. But their demands have not been fulfilled yet.
“Most of the ground works are done by the patwaris but their salary has not been increased for past 22 years. Patwaris are not even promoted throughout their service,” said Baghel.
One of the patwaris, Sangam Mishra tweeted, “Sara kaam 21 sadi ke vetan kyon 20 sadi ka. Hum kaam kare online apne sansadhan se, field jaye mahnge petrol se, HRA 250 diya jata hai. 2800 grade pay ka wada poora kare.’ (When all the work we do is of 21st century then why is the salary of 20th century. We use our personal resources for online works and visit field using expensive petrol but yet we get HRA of Rs 250. Fulfill your promise of 2800 grade pay)
State president of Patwari Sangh said that it was a symbolic protest and the government should understand this. Yet if the demands are not met, then patwari sangh may adopt other measures, as well.
123.3k tweets in three hours
Tweets trended by the MP Patwari Sangh gained immense response. There were 123.3k tweets in three hours and trended on top for couple of hours. The twitter trend remained in top 7 across the country.