ఇంగ్లీషు జర్నలిజంలో తొలి తెలుగు వెలుగు
199
does the jamabandi officer patiently listen to what the ryots say and then do any work? As far as we know we can say we do not generally find such an officer. If the jamabandi should be properly conducted, it would be a very intricate business. Much patience and good qualifications are necessary for it. They are rare. This is a reason for asking the Government to effect a permanent settlement, i.e., to grant permanent pattas. Under the ryotwari system there is much of worry and trouble every year. This is the jamabandi. Those that are profited by that jamabandi are: the village officers, revenue inspectors, huzur servants, gumastas and if they are bribe-takers tahsildars and serishtadars or their acting incumbents. They have batta' i.e. not only the batta that the ryots give. The batta that the Government gives but also the batta is not in one particular form. Both supplies and money are got. Unless the ryots are dishonest and clever they get no advantage. As for ordinary ryots, even the pattas that are granted during jamabandi do not reach them. The village officers are very powerful. Whatever amount of sist they propose the ryots must pay. The money that is collected in excess of the amount entered in the accounts is shared among them and the taluk and huzur officials.
Page 274, September 15th 1900, Kodur Village
The A.G. of the 15th September, offers its thanks to the government for its having made some arrangements to remove certain irregularities in the administration of the village of Kodur (Nellore District). There is no man in the village capable of trying both civil and criminal cases. Even the village pound is not in a good condition. As the village is not connected with the neighbouring villages by means of good roads the people are put to considerable trouble and inconvenience. There is neither a post office nor a school in the village. “Both were abolished after a time in accordance with the present rules". If a good school be established and the children of the ryots be educated, munsifs, assistant munsifs and karanams may be available in the village itself. If that is not done or if capable men are not sent for from other villages, the village will continue to be in its usual backward state forever. If the government does not improve even such large villages as Kodur, its reputation will suffer.
Page 273, Mr. Spring's feeder Railways
