Patna: Development works across nearly 45,000 villages in Bihar are set to resume after more than 4,500 Panchayat Secretaries called off their 50-day-long strike and returned to duty. The secretaries are responsible for overseeing work in 8,053 gram panchayats across the state.
The breakthrough came after the Bihar government agreed to five major demands raised by the Panchayat Secretaries’ association. The end of the strike is expected to restart several stalled rural development projects and improve the functioning of local governance in villages.
Officials said the decision would also provide relief to migrant workers who have recently returned to Bihar from Gulf countries amid tensions linked to the Iran-US conflict. Many of these workers are now looking for employment opportunities near their native villages, and the resumption of development work is expected to generate local jobs.
According to the agreement reached with the state government, Panchayat Secretaries will now receive a grade pay of Rs 4,200, and the minimum educational qualification for the post will be fixed as graduation.
The government has also approved a new designation for the post. Panchayat Secretaries will now be known as “Gram Panchayat Raj Officers”.
In another major relief, the state government has agreed to provide a minimum transport allowance of Rs 2,000 per month.
The government has also accepted the demand related to promotions, removing the upper age limit for promotion to the post of Block Panchayati Raj Officer (BPRO).
Additionally, transfer policies have been relaxed, allowing Panchayat Secretaries to be posted either in their home district or in one of the two adjoining districts.
The prolonged strike had affected rural administrative work and delayed several welfare and infrastructure projects in villages across Bihar. With the employees returning to work, officials expect pending development activities to pick up pace in the coming days.
