Bihar Government Acts to Resolve 19-Day Circle Officer Strike
In a decisive move to address the administrative paralysis caused by a prolonged strike, the Bihar Revenue and Land Reforms Department (RLRD) announced on Friday that it will deploy non-striking revenue officers to take additional charge of circle offices. This action aims to ensure all 534 block-level offices become fully operational starting April 1, effectively bypassing the 19-day protest by circle officers (COs).
Unacceptable Disruption of Services
RLRD Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha declared the strike unacceptable, emphasizing that revenue services must not be obstructed. "To obstruct the revenue-related services in the name of strike is totally unacceptable and cannot be allowed," Sinha stated. He confirmed that every circle office would be fully functional from April 1, with non-striking officers immediately assigned additional responsibilities to cover for those participating in the strike.
Official Directive Issued
RLRD Principal Secretary C K Anil issued a formal letter on Friday, outlining the contingency plan. "The officials who have shunned the strike and are on duty will be given additional charges of the circle offices where the posts are lying vacant due to the strike," Anil explained. District magistrates have been directed to ensure no circle office remains without a functioning CO, with the arrangement designed to maintain seamless administrative operations.
Expanded Deployment Strategy
The deployment includes not only COs who are on duty but also assistant settlement officers and quanungos. The RLRD clarified that previous attempts to use block development officers (BDOs) as substitutes were insufficient, as BDOs are already overwhelmed with their existing block office duties. "Accordingly, the revenue officers on duty have been asked to function as COs," Anil noted, highlighting that critical functions like land mutation, error rectification, land measurement, encroachment removal, and certificate issuance will continue uninterrupted.
Financial and Operational Support
To facilitate this transition, officers taking on additional charges will be granted full financial rights. This ensures that salary releases, scheme implementations, and other essential works proceed without hindrance. Anil added that if striking officers return to duty, they would be reassigned to handle Sadar and sub-divisional circle offices, offering a pathway for reintegration.
Background of the Crisis
The strike by circle officers, now in its 19th day, has created significant administrative challenges across Bihar's revenue infrastructure. Circle offices play a pivotal role in land and revenue management, making their functionality crucial for public services and governance. The state's proactive measures underscore its commitment to resolving the crisis while maintaining operational continuity in all blocks.
