Patna: A long-running dispute between Bihar’s revenue service officers and the state government intensified on Tuesday, with around 700 officers continuing their mass leave and warning of further escalation unless their demands are met.
The officers, who gathered at the KL-7 auditorium in Gaighat, Patna, said they would not withdraw their agitation despite government warnings of strict action. The protest centres on demands for promotion to senior administrative posts, including Deputy Collector Land Reforms (DCLR), and opposition to a recent decision of the state council of ministers regarding the restructuring of these posts.
Organised under the banner of the Bihar Revenue Service Federation Joint Front, participants from across the state reiterated their claim to eligibility for higher postings. They argued that court rulings had previously upheld their entitlement, and said the government’s decision to transfer the DCLR post from the revenue service cadre to the general administration department was “unjust and inequitable”.
Speakers at the meeting accused the government of failing to initiate any meaningful dialogue to bring striking officers back to work. They also criticised what they described as the “exclusive reservation” of the DCLR post for the Bihar Administrative Service, calling it inconsistent with judicial directions.
Among those addressing the gathering were federation leaders representing various constituent associations within the revenue service. They said the agitation would continue in a peaceful and lawful manner until the cabinet decision was withdrawn and court orders were fully implemented.
The state government has not yet issued a detailed response to the latest round of protests, but officials have previously warned of disciplinary action against employees participating in the strike.
