Patna: Circle officers (COs) and revenue officials in Bihar called off their indefinite strike, which had been ongoing since March 9, following discussions with Revenue and Land Reforms Department Secretary Jai Singh on Thursday.
According to sources, a consensus was reached with the government after negotiations on their demands. Consequently, the Bihar Joint Revenue Service Federation announced the end of the mass leave on Thursday. With the strike now over, land-related administrative work that had stalled across various circles is expected to resume smoothly.
The association, in a press statement, said the government has given assurances to the striking officials, promising due consideration of their demands. Following this development, the federation announced that its members would resume duties from May 4. Thus, the COs will return to work after a 55-day hiatus.
The federation expressed confidence that the state government will give serious consideration to the previously submitted 11-point charter of demands, dated March 5. This charter includes the demand regarding the post of Deputy Collector for Land Reforms (DCLR). The federation expects time-bound action on these demands. It also anticipates immediate steps to bring the DCLR post under the complete administrative and functional control of the Revenue and Land Reforms Department, as part of the key demands.
Revenue and Land Reforms Department Secretary Jai Singh noted that several critical functions, such as mutation, land record rectification, land measurement, and land dispute resolution, had been adversely affected due to the mass leave by officials.
He clarified that effective May 4, all revenue service officials must report for duty at their respective places of posting. “Necessary administrative action may be initiated against any official found to be absent or negligent in the discharge of their duties,” he warned.
The government has assured that it will adopt a constructive approach towards the revenue officials’ demands and strive to devise practical solutions. This will ensure that such situations do not recur and that administrative operations remain uninterrupted.
The new NDA government, led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, paved the way for reconciliation after revoking the suspension of more than 200 revenue officials, including 47 COs, during the tenure of former Deputy Chief Minister and Department Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha. The government has also transferred C K Anil, the Principal Secretary of the department, and given charge to Secretary Jai Singh this week.
