Revenue Dept’s Top Brass Delivers Verdict on Corrupt Patwari; FCR Orders ‘Withholding of 3 Increments’ for Patwari

Rakesh Kumar Found Guilty of Harassment, Deliberate Delays, and Using a Tout; Order Sets Stern Precedent for Upholding Public Service Guarantees

1. In a significant move against bureaucratic corruption, the Financial Commissioner (Revenue), J&K, has imposed a major penalty of “withholding of three (03) increments with cumulative effect” on Rakesh Kumar, the then Patwari of Patwar Halqa Akhnoor Khas, as per Order No. 67-FC(Rev) of 2025.
2. A thorough departmental inquiry found the Patwari guilty of gross misconduct, including deliberately rejecting 201 online ‘fard’ applications on the last day of the PSGA timeline, causing unnecessary harassment to the public, and illegally using a tout for official work.
3. This decisive action is the culmination of a meticulous departmental process initiated by the Deputy Commissioner Jammu following public complaints and endorsed by the Divisional Commissioner, showcasing a unified administrative will to enforce accountability and uphold the integrity of public service.

Jammu, July 23, 2025: In a powerful and decisive assertion of administrative accountability, the office of the Financial Commissioner (Revenue), J&K, has delivered a stern verdict against a delinquent Revenue official, imposing a major penalty on Sh. Rakesh Kumar, the then Patwari of Patwar Halqa Akhnoor Khas, District Jammu. The order, which culminates a thorough departmental inquiry, finds the official guilty of gross misconduct, deliberate dereliction of duty, and causing undue harassment to the public. This action sends an unequivocal message that the government’s zero tolerance policy against corruption and inefficiency is not mere rhetoric but a commitment being enforced from the highest levels of the administration.

The chain of events leading to this stringent action began with a complaint filed via email on May 27, 2024, by one Sh. Rohit Sharma, who alleged that Patwari Rakesh Kumar had failed to process his mutation application twice without any valid reason. Taking immediate cognizance, the Deputy Commissioner Jammu issued a show cause notice to the official on June 5, 2024. After finding the Patwari’s reply to be unsatisfactory, the DC imposed a fine equivalent to one day’s salary on June 8, 2024, with a stern warning of stricter action in the future.

The matter escalated when the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Akhnoor, vide communication no. SDM/AKH/24-25/1942 dated January 7, 2025, reported to the Deputy Commissioner that he had received multiple complaints against the same official for harassment and apathy towards his duties, which had eroded public confidence. Taking a serious view of this pattern of misconduct, the Deputy Commissioner Jammu suspended the official vide order no. DCJ(Adm) 05 of 2025 dated January 9, 2025, and initiated a formal inquiry.

The preliminary inquiry report, submitted on January 25, 2025, concluded that the Patwari’s conduct was “unbecoming of a public servant and warranted strict action.” Subsequently, a formal chargesheet was served upon the official, and after finding his defence unsatisfactory, a detailed inquiry was conducted by the Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Jammu.

The findings of this detailed inquiry, submitted on April 29, 2025, were damning. It was observed that a staggering 201 ‘fard’ applications had been rejected, with the majority being rejected on the last day of the Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA) timeline with vague remarks like “Rejected on the recommendation of field staff,” thus defeating the entire purpose of online service delivery. Similarly, most mutation applications were rejected with the remark “Applicant did not come to sign.” Crucially, the inquiry also found that “the patwari has kept unofficial accomplice/tout for his official work without any authority which is unbecoming of a govt. servant and clear violation of J&K employee conduct rules.”

Based on these findings, the Deputy Commissioner Jammu recommended a major penalty to the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, who in turn endorsed the recommendation to the Financial Commissioner (Revenue) on May 22, 2025, also suggesting a transfer to a non-sensitive post.

After a detailed examination of the entire case file, the Competent Authority, the Financial Commissioner (Revenue), found Mr. Rakesh Kumar guilty. In the final order, the FCR observed, “The report gives specific instances and many details that bring out the veracity of the charges. The report brings out that the official, apart from indulging in practices that lead to suspicion of corrupt practices, has been most negligent and unmindful of his duties and has violated the PSGA with impunity.”

Accepting the inquiry report and its recommendations, the Financial Commissioner, vide Order No. 67-FC(Rev) of 2025 dated July 22, 2025, has imposed a penalty of “withholding three (03) increments with cumulative effect” under Rule 30 of the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956. This is a significant financial penalty that will impact the official’s earnings for the remainder of his service. The official has been reinstated with immediate effect, but the order directs the Deputy Commissioner to ensure his transfer to a non-sensitive post with minimal public interaction. This exemplary action by the Financial Commissioner underscores the administration’s resolve to hold its officials accountable and ensure that public service delivery is transparent, timely, and free from harassment.