Bihar Revenue Officers Call Off Strike After Government Restores DCLR Post to BRS
In a significant development, over 1,000 revenue officers (ROs) and circle officers (COs) in Bihar have officially ended their strike, which commenced on February 2. The decision to call off the industrial action came after the state government conceded to their primary demand of restoring the position of deputy collector, land reforms (DCLR) to the Bihar Revenue Service (BRS). The officers are set to resume their duties from Friday, bringing relief to administrative functions across the state.
Background of the Dispute and Strike Impact
The strike was triggered by the state government's controversial move to create a new post of sub-divisional revenue officer (SRO) and transfer all key DCLR positions to the Bihar Administrative Service. This action directly conflicted with the BRS Rules of 2016, which outline a clear promotion pathway from RO to CO to DCLR within the revenue service. The withdrawal of these positions had sparked widespread discontent among revenue officials, leading to the organized strike.
During the strike, the state government escalated tensions by withdrawing government vehicles from circle officers, severely hampering critical statewide operations. This included the online land survey and digitization work, which are essential for modernizing land records and ensuring efficient governance. With 537 revenue officers and an equal number of circle officers involved, the strike had a tangible impact on administrative efficiency and public service delivery in Bihar.
Government Concessions and Resolution
The Bihar Revenue Service Association (BIRSA) played a pivotal role in negotiating with the state government. Following a crucial meeting on Thursday, BIRSA announced the decision to end the strike after the government agreed to restore the DCLR post to BRS. In a written statement, BIRSA president Anand Kumar confirmed, "The DCLR position is being taken back from the General Administration Department with immediate effect and restored to BRS. Bihar Administrative Service officers will no longer be posted as DCLR."
Furthermore, the government has committed to allocating 101 new DCLR posts exclusively to the Bihar Revenue Service, reinforcing the service's career progression structure. This concession addresses the core grievance of the striking officers and ensures that future promotions within BRS remain intact and aligned with established rules.
Agreement on New SRO Position
In a move towards compromise, BIRSA, which had initially opposed the creation of the sub-divisional revenue officer (SRO) post, has now accepted the state government's decision on its establishment. The SRO position, which is senior to DCLR, is designed to incorporate additional responsibilities such as land survey monitoring and other administrative functions. This agreement highlights a balanced resolution, where the government's initiative to introduce a new role is acknowledged while safeguarding the existing rights and career paths of revenue service officers.
The restoration of the DCLR post to BRS not only resolves the immediate conflict but also underscores the importance of adhering to service rules and maintaining morale among government employees. As revenue and circle officers return to work, the focus will shift to resuming the disrupted land survey and digitization projects, which are crucial for Bihar's development and governance reforms.
