Nagpur: The state govt has notified a new organisational structure and recruitment rules for the revenue department, Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Tuesday. The revenue minister described it as the first comprehensive overhaul of the department’s service rules in nearly five decades.Bawankule said the notification, issued on Monday, marks the first revision of the revenue department’s recruitment rules since 1977. He said the state cabinet approved the new cadre structure and recruitment rules.The minister said the revised framework would remove long-pending bottlenecks in recruitment and promotions from the rank of deputy tehsildars to additional district collectors, providing greater career progression for revenue officers. “This is a historic decision and will simplify appointments and promotions,” he said.On demands for a separate District Planning and Development Council (DPDC) for Nagpur city, Bawankule said creating two DPDCs for a single district was not legally feasible. However, he said govt decided to constitute a separate subgroup for urban areas. Independent planning meetings will be held for Nagpur city and the rural district, he added.Responding to allegations of irregularities in the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and Floor Space Index (FSI) matters, Bawankule said complaints against officials who remained posted in the SRA for prolonged periods would be investigated. He said deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde would examine complaints relating to the urban development department, while he would personally oversee those involving the revenue department.Commenting on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bawankule said criticism of the govt was part of democracy but should be based on facts. He noted that Modi was elected Prime Minister for a third consecutive term by the people.On the NEET examination controversy, Bawankule described the paper leak as “condemnable” but said it was not the govt’s fault, adding that administrative shortcomings were rectified and action was initiated.Referring to the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar, he alleged that the agitation was intended to mislead the public and provoke the youth. He further claimed that authorities received information suggesting stones were brought to the protest site and said govt was investigating the intent behind the alleged mobilisation and the involvement of antisocial elements.
