COs’ strike paralyses land-related work, deputy CM warns of action

Patna: Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha on Monday warned the circle officers (COs) to either call off their indefinite strike and come to the negotiation table or face action. He also said the department will take action against 25 COs for dereliction of duty and other charges found true in the inquiries against them. He alleged that a few land mafias were working behind the move but the govt is ready to deal with them.

Sinha, who is also the revenue and land reforms minister, said if the COs did not return to work by Tuesday, the govt will give their charge to the block development officers (BDOs) in the first phase and also find their replacement thereafter. He clarified that the govt will only discuss the matter once the strike ends. He urged the COs not to create chaos in March. He said 46 lakh applications were pending in the state for corrections in land records.


All the COs joined the revenue officers’ indefinite strike on Monday alleging govt/department’s breach of promise. They are demanding promotion as deputy collectors of land reforms (DCLRs). The revenue employees (karmcharis) have been on strike since Feb 11.

Sinha, who briefed the media on the completion of 100 days of the new govt, said the COs get promotions as per rules.

On the completion of 100 days of the govt and the department, he counted several important initiatives taken during this period, including the launch of Bihar Bhoomi portal for all land related works, land mapping online with a fixed deadline and the decision to install CCTV cameras at all block offices. He said even CM Nitish Kumar has praised his work.

Sinha also said CCTV cameras will be installed in the DCLR and other revenue courts to maintain transparency in works. The govt also plans to have an integrated centre to monitor the works in the block and other revenue offices.