Bihar Deputy CM Issues Stern Warning to Striking Circle Officers
Patna: In a firm stance against ongoing industrial action, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Monday delivered a clear ultimatum to circle officers (COs) participating in an indefinite strike. The revenue and land reforms minister warned that officers must either immediately call off their protest and return to negotiation tables or face serious disciplinary consequences from the state government.
Government Threatens Action Against 25 Officers
Sinha revealed that the department has identified twenty-five circle officers who will face official action for dereliction of duty and other charges that have been substantiated through departmental inquiries. The deputy CM emphasized that the government possesses concrete evidence against these officers and will not hesitate to implement appropriate penalties.
"If the circle officers do not return to work by Tuesday, the government will initially transfer their responsibilities to block development officers (BDOs) and subsequently arrange for their permanent replacement," Sinha declared during a media briefing. He made it unequivocally clear that any discussion regarding the officers' demands would only occur after the complete cessation of their strike action.
Allegations of External Influence and Government Resolve
The deputy chief minister made serious allegations that certain land mafia elements might be orchestrating or influencing the strike movement behind the scenes. However, he assured the public that the state administration remains fully prepared to confront and neutralize any such external pressures attempting to disrupt governmental operations.
Sinha urgently appealed to the striking officers to avoid creating administrative chaos during the crucial month of March, highlighting that approximately forty-six lakh applications for land record corrections remain pending across Bihar due to the work stoppage. This massive backlog directly impacts citizens awaiting resolution of critical land-related matters.
Background of the Revenue Department Strike
All circle officers joined the broader revenue officers' indefinite strike on Monday, alleging that the government and department had breached previous promises made to them. Their primary demand centers on promotion to the position of deputy collectors of land reforms (DCLRs). This action follows earlier strikes by revenue employees (karmcharis) that commenced on February 11, creating a cascading effect on land administration services.
Addressing the promotion issue, Sinha clarified that circle officers receive advancements strictly according to established rules and regulations, implying that demands for accelerated promotion might not align with existing bureaucratic protocols.
Government Highlights Achievements During First 100 Days
During the media interaction marking the completion of 100 days of the new government, Deputy CM Sinha enumerated several significant initiatives undertaken by his department. These accomplishments include the launch of the innovative Bihar Bhoomi portal designed to streamline all land-related administrative work, implementation of online land mapping with fixed deadlines, and the decision to install CCTV surveillance systems in all block offices to enhance transparency and accountability.
"Even Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has praised the work accomplished during this period," Sinha noted with evident satisfaction, suggesting high-level endorsement of the department's recent reforms.
Future Plans for Enhanced Transparency
Looking forward, the deputy chief minister announced additional measures to improve governance transparency. These include plans to install CCTV cameras in DCLR and other revenue courts to monitor proceedings and ensure fair practices. Furthermore, the government intends to establish an integrated monitoring center that will oversee operations across block and revenue offices, creating a centralized system for administrative supervision.
The current standoff represents a significant test for the Bihar government's ability to manage labor disputes within its administrative machinery while simultaneously implementing ambitious digital governance reforms in the critical land revenue sector.
