Revenue officials stage protest in Madurai urging government to fulfil their charter of demands

The members of Federation of Revenue Associations (FERA) on Wednesday took out a rally from World Tamil Sangam to Madurai Collectorate and staged a protest urging the State government to fulfil their charter of demands.

The members said that they were overburdened with work and had to meet unrealistic deadlines. Already there was staff shortage and the government was implementing various special schemes. The officials had to implement the schemes and they were under pressure. Instead of burdening the officials with additional work, existing vacancies in various posts should be filled immediately, they said.

They also demanded the enactment of a Special law to protect the Revenue officials. The members said that they were constantly facing threats particularly during the field visits. The Special law should be enacted for the protection of the Revenue officials and to take strict action against those who threaten the officials, they said.

The members said that the appointments on compassionate grounds had reduced from 25% to 5%. When there were vacancies in various posts and there was already staff shortage, the government should restore the appointments on compassionate grounds to 25% keeping in mind the plight of the families of deceased employees, they said.

The members demanded better salaries and special pay considering the workload and the efficiency. They urged the government to recruit the employees on a permanent basis instead of appointing employees on a temporary basis and through outsourcing method.

The FERA members also urged the government to declare July 1 as ‘Revenue Day’ and organise State level programmes to acknowledge the contributions of the Revenue officials.