Collector denies RAS from taking charge, Govt gives him ‘bigger chair’ than Collector!

Jaipur: There is an age old adage in Hindi, ‘Kabhi Gaadi Naav Mein, Kabhi Naav Gaadi Mein,’ which holds true for two officers in Bharatpur. RAS officer Parshuram Dhanka was posted by State Government as ADM Bharatpur, however, Collector Alok Ranjan didn’t allow him to join, As a result, the senior RAS had to be embarrassed in the bureaucracy, along with this, he had to sit at home while being APO for past two months. But don’t know what did the DoP think, it posted Dhanka in Revenue Appellate Authority in Bharatpur. In the administrative systems, Collector conducts hearing of appeal of RAA revenue cases in districts. Thus, now Parshuram Dhanka will conduct hearing of appeals on Collector Alok Ranjan’s orders and give decisions as well, which means that Dhanka is effectively on a ‘higher chair’ than Ranjan!

It is worth noting that in districts, RAA conducts hearing on cases related to Land Revenue Act and Tenancy Act. RAA comes directly under Board of Revenue and the Collector doesn’t have the control on them. Although this is an administrative discrepancy that the decisions and orders given by an IAS can be appealed before a ‘junior’ RAS cadre officer.In several states of the nation, an appeal on Collector’s decision is heard by Divisional Commissioners & in Rajasthan, the IAS lobby has been demanding this for a long time. But due to objection by politicians, the situation has remained as it is. Secondly, land revenue cases are dime a dozen in districts & thus, villagers can approach RAA with ease whereas, since there are seven Divisional Commissioners in State, it will become cumbersome for the aggrieved to approach divisional headquarters. The post of RAA is considered extremely important in the RAS cadre.