Pauri Garhwal Economy and Administration
Pauri Garhwal Economy and Administration
Pauri Garhwal Administration
Revenue Policing System
Pauri Garhwal Economy and Administration : The revenue police system, also known as the patwari police system, is a unique policing system implemented in certain parts of Uttarakhand, including Pauri Garhwal district. Under this system, the revenue department handles law and order functions like crime prevention instead of the police department. The patwari, a revenue department functionary responsible for land records, also carries out police functions equivalent to a Sub-Inspector or Station House Officer.
This system was introduced during the British era to handle policing in remote hill areas through local revenue officials. It continues to exist today in around 65% of Uttarakhand’s area, including rural parts of Pauri Garhwal.
Key Highlights
- Patwaris endowed with powers of Sub-Inspector, carry out crime investigation & prevention
- Naib Tahsildars have powers akin to Deputy Superintendent of Police
- System introduced by British in early 1900s, continues today
- Covers around 65% of Uttarakhand, including rural Pauri Garhwal
However, over time the efficiency and accountability of this system has come into question. There have been demands to abolish revenue policing and extend the formal police system.
Abolishment of Revenue Policing System
In January 2018, the Nainital High Court gave a verdict asking the Uttarakhand government to abolish the revenue police system across the state. The court said the system leads to abuse of power and lack of accountability. It directed that regular policing be established.
The state government challenged this verdict in the Supreme Court. As of 2023, the case is pending and revenue policing continues to operate, including in rural parts of Pauri Garhwal district.
If the High Court verdict is upheld, it would lead to major changes in rural policing. The revenue police system will be abolished. Instead, regular police stations and personnel of the civil police will take over all law and order duties. This is expected to improve policing standards, reduce abuse of power and increase accountability.
Key Highlights
- Nainital HC directed state government to abolish revenue policing in 2018
- Cited abuse of power, lack of accountability as reasons
- State government appealed verdict in Supreme Court
- Case pending, revenue policing continues as of 2023
- If abolished, regular civil police will replace revenue police
Pauri Garhwal Economy
Pauri Garhwal district has an economy centered around agriculture and livestock rearing. Key aspects include:
Agriculture
- Agriculture is the main economic activity engaging over 70% of workforce
- Major crops – wheat, rice, mandua, potato, soybean, ginger, turmeric
- Limited irrigation – mostly rain-fed farming
- Low farm productivity and income due to small landholdings, lack of irrigation
Initiatives to Support Agriculture
- Promoting cultivation of cash crops like basil, ginger, turmeric through schemes
- Expanding irrigation infrastructure through check dams, lift irrigation
- Improving access to credit, crop insurance for farmers
Horticulture
- District has immense potential for horticulture given favorable climate
- Major horticulture produce – temperate fruits like apple, peach, plum, apricot
- Apple cultivation being promoted under various schemes
- Lack of cold storage and food processing infrastructure limiting growth
Initiatives to Boost Horticulture
- Area under fruit cultivation expanded under various schemes
- Setting up more cold storages, food processing plants
- Promoting off-season vegetables through polyhouses and net houses
- Expanding area under aromatic plants like lavender
Animal Husbandry
- Animal rearing, especially sheep, goats and buffalo, is a key economic activity
- Provides supplementary income along with crop farming to most families
- Wool and meat are important products
- Lack of veterinary and breeding infrastructure hampering productivity
Increasing Incomes from Animal Husbandry
- Expanding artificial insemination facilities for breed improvement
- Providing health camps, insurance for livestock
- Promoting dairy cooperatives and milk unions
- Training programs for sheep, goat and poultry farming
Industries
- Very few small scale industries present currently
- Abundant availability of minor forest products like medicinal herbs
- Potential for food processing units given extensive horticulture base
Promoting Rural Industries
- Providing incentives and infrastructure to set up food processing units
- Common facility centers for grading, packaging of horticulture produce
- Promoting herb-based units producing essential oils, cosmetics etc.
- Expanding traditional handicrafts production like wood carving, weaving
Pauri Garhwal Economy and Administration, the economy of Pauri Garhwal relies heavily on cultivation and animal rearing. But substantial potential exists to accelerate growth by focusing on horticulture, food processing and rural industries. This would significantly raise incomes and living standards.
