Patna: The Bihar Government has suspended 41 circle officers for participating in an ongoing strike, accusing them of dereliction of duty and defiance of official directives.
In a notification issued by the Department of Revenue and Land Reforms, the government said the officials had failed to carry out their responsibilities, including participation in government programmes and adherence to instructions from senior officers.
Charges of negligence and non-compliance
The suspended officers face multiple charges, including:
- Failure to meet revenue collection targets
- Non-compliance with official orders
- Absence from key administrative duties
- Negligence in encroachment removal, in violation of court directives
The government also alleged that some officials attempted to obstruct preparations for the upcoming Census-2027, terming the conduct a serious breach of service rules.
Officials said these actions violate the Bihar Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1976, which require absolute devotion to duty.
Suspension and further proceedings
The suspensions have been carried out under the Bihar Government Servants (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules, 2005.
During the suspension period, the officers have been attached to the offices of divisional commissioners and will receive subsistence allowance as per rules. The department has also indicated that separate disciplinary proceedings will be initiated.
Strike paralyses services
The action comes amid a prolonged strike by revenue officials in Bihar.
- Around 1,100 revenue officers have been on strike since March 9
- Nearly 3,500 employees have been on strike since February 11
- Work has been affected in 537 administrative circles
The disruption has led to a mounting backlog, with approximately 5,500 mutation applications and 10,000 land record correction (Parimarjan) cases pending daily, pushing the total backlog to over 4 million cases.
Impact on governance
Officials acknowledged that the strike has significantly affected revenue administration and public services, particularly land-related work.
The government’s decision to suspend the officers signals a tougher stance as it seeks to restore normal functioning and clear the growing backlog of cases.
