Patna: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Revenue and Land Reforms, Vijay Kumar Sinha, has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to striking Circle Officers (COs) and other revenue officials, urging them to return to duty immediately. He said officials who resume work within the given time frame will not face strict disciplinary action from the state government.
Speaking on the ongoing strike by sections of the Revenue Department, Sinha said the government is willing to offer administrative relief to officials who return to their posts promptly. According to him, the period of the strike can be adjusted in a way that minimises service-related complications for the employees concerned.
The deputy chief minister emphasised that March is a critical month for the department, as several government initiatives linked directly to public services are underway across the state. These include the Chief Minister’s Samriddhi Yatra, the Revenue Maha Abhiyan and the e-Mapi digital land measurement campaign, all of which require the active participation of revenue officials.
Sinha noted that nearly 4.6 million applications have been received under the Revenue Maha Abhiyan and the government has set an ambitious target to resolve them by March 31. He warned that if the strike continues, it could severely affect services related to land disputes, issuance of certificates and other administrative work handled at Circle Offices.
Addressing another concern raised by officials, Sinha said matters related to Deputy Collectors of Land Reforms (DCLRs) fall under the jurisdiction of the General Administration Department. However, he added that the government would consider the concerns of officials in a positive and sympathetic manner if they return to duty.
Criticising what he described as pressure tactics, the deputy chief minister said such methods rarely produce constructive solutions. He maintained that if officials focus on delivering efficient public services and achieve positive outcomes, the government will take their legitimate demands into consideration.
Sinha concluded by reiterating that the state government remains committed to public welfare and good governance. While acknowledging the concerns of government employees, he stressed that administrative discipline and accountability are equally essential to ensure that essential public services continue without disruption.
