Bihar revenue employees end 52-day strike, resume work from May 4
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The indefinite strike by Bihar revenue employees, ongoing since 9 March 2025, was officially called off on Thursday, 30 April, after the Bihar Revenue Service Joint Federation reached an understanding with the state government. All striking employees are set to resume duties at their respective postings from 4 May 2025.
Why the Strike Was Called Off
Rajnish Kant, General Secretary of the Joint Front, stated that the decision to withdraw the mass leave was taken primarily to ease public inconvenience and ensure continuity in governance. He added that the move also reflects the Federation's confidence in the leadership of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.
The decision followed direct discussions between Jay Kumar Singh, Departmental Secretary, and representatives of the Federation — a dialogue that the Joint Front described as constructive and forward-looking.
The 11-Point Charter of Demands
The Federation's strike had been anchored to an 11-point charter of demands submitted as far back as 5 March 2025. Among the key demands, the Joint Front has reiterated the need to bring the post of Deputy Collector (Land Reforms) under the full administrative and functional control of the Revenue Department. It has also called for proper appointment or charge allocation of Bihar Revenue Service officers to all cadre-designated posts.
According to Kant, these measures would enhance administrative efficiency and strengthen governance mechanisms across the state's revenue machinery.
Impact of the Strike
The mass leave — which began on 9 March 2025 — had significantly disrupted public services and routine administrative operations across Bihar for nearly 52 days. Land record updates, revenue filings, and district-level administrative functions bore the brunt of the prolonged absence. Notably, this is one of the longest sustained strikes by revenue cadre employees in the state in recent years.
Two-Month Ultimatum to the Government
While the strike has been suspended, the Federation has issued a clear warning: if the state government fails to act on the 11-point charter within two months, employees will once again resort to mass leave through what they described as democratic and constitutional means. The state government now has until approximately late June 2025 to deliver on its commitments.
The Federation expressed hope that the government would initiate concrete, time-bound steps to strengthen and streamline the Revenue Service cadre. With the strike now withdrawn, administrative operations across Bihar are expected to return to normal, providing much-needed relief to citizens dependent on land and revenue services.