200 land settlement dept employees face uncertain future

CHITRAL: The future of about 200 employees of the land settlement department hangs in balance as a summary moved by the board of revenue seeking their regularisation is yet to be approved by the chief minister.

Sources said the land settlement process had been completed in Lower Chitral district and the settled land records were being taken over by the district administration.

The land settlement had started in 2001 in Chitral for which 195 employees were hired in different capacities but their future hanged in balance after the completion of the land settlement process despite having served the department for terms ranging from 10 to 19 years.

The sources said the stipulated time for completion of the land settlement project had been extended by one year in June 2019 and so had the services of the staff attached with it.

The sources said the incumbent staff of the land settlement department possessed the requisite qualification and experience, and thus their stay was inevitable to deal with the land settlement records with the district administration.

When contacted, Lower Chitral deputy commissioner Naveed Ahmed said the district administration was seeking to take over the land records as the process of settlement had been completed.

However, he said the employees of the land settlement department won’t lose their jobs as they might be adjusted in the new setup.

SOURCE