Patwari
Also called: Lekhpal, Talati, Karnam · Topic: Panchayati Raj: Rural Local Government · NCERT: Class 6, Ch 11 "Grassroots Democracy – Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas"
Meaning
The patwari is the village revenue official. They keep land records and old maps of village land, and help with land revenue work. The post has different names in different states: lekhpal, talati or karnam. The patwari belongs to the state's revenue department, not to the panchayat.
Example
When two farmers argue over where their fields meet, they go to the patwari. The patwari checks the land records and the village map to settle where the boundary lies.
Don't confuse with
- Panchayat secretary: the secretary keeps the panchayat's meeting records and accounts. The patwari keeps land records.
Related concepts
- Gram panchayat
- Sarpanch
- Panchayat secretary
- Panchayat samiti
- Zila parishad
- Child-friendly panchayat
- Bal sabha
- Women-friendly panchayat