Revenue staff seek adequate budget to meet routine requirements

Members of the Andhra Pradesh Revenue Services Association (APRSA) on Saturday raised concerns over the simultaneous implementation of three major programmes — Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, re-survey operations, and distribution of pattadar passbooks.

Speaking at the association’s State Executive Committee meeting, chaired by its State president Bopparaju Venkateswarlu, they urged the government to ensure proper planning and coordination so that these activities did not overlap and place excessive pressure on field-level staff.

They stressed the need for adequate budget allocations in line with present-day costs, pointing out that the monthly Office Operating Expenses (OOE) provided to tahsildar and RDO offices were insufficient to meet routine requirements such as stationery, computer peripherals and other administrative needs. They also sought adequate funds for protocol expenses, rented vehicles and office maintenance.

The association further requested the government to earmark special budget provisions for court-related expenditure, particularly in contempt cases where revenue officials were required to appear before courts while discharging official duties.

Emphasising the importance of capacity building, APRSA members called for the establishment of a dedicated Revenue Academy to provide continuous training to officials and employees on evolving revenue laws, land administration, digital governance, survey and re-survey procedures, election duties and legal matters. Regular district and State-level training programmes, they said, would enhance professional competence and improve public service delivery.

Mr. Venkateswarlu said strengthening the Revenue Department required more than frequent review meetings. Adequate staffing, infrastructure, financial support and continuous training were essential to ensure efficient administration and better services to citizens, he said, highlighting the urgent need for construction and repairs to several Tahsildar and RDO offices across the State.

The association urged the government to accord priority to the welfare, training and administrative support needs of revenue employees, considering the crucial role played by the Revenue Department in governance and public service delivery.